The Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated Monday the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, along with a number of Ministers, Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations and Naval Commanders, as well as representatives of the exhibiting companies participating in the event.
Later, His Highness received at the Qatar National Convention Centre Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Staff of Armed Forces of brotherly and friendly countries participating in DIMDEX 2026, who called to greet him on the occasion of their visit to the country, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces HE Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai attended the signing of a number of agreements on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026).
The agreements included the signing of a letter of intent between the Qatari and Finnish Ministries of Defence, in addition to the signing of agreements between Barzan Holdings and each of the Procurement and Supply Authority, the Qatari Amiri Maintenance Corps, and EDGE Group UAE. The signing ceremonies were attended by a number of senior officers and officials.
For his part, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Than attended the signing of several agreements on the sidelines of DIMDEX 2026. They included agreements between Barzan Holdings and the Turkish company STM, Orqa company (Croatia), and MKE company (Turkiye).
He also attended the signing of an agreement for the purchase of two frigates between Barzan Holdings and the Turkish company TAIS, valued at $1 billion, for one of Barzan Holdings’ international clients. Several senior officers and officials also attended the signing ceremony.
He further met with Minister of Defence of Somalia Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on the sidelines of the first day of DIMDEX 2026. He also met with Iraqi Minister of Defense Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al Abbasi. During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest and ways to enhance and develop them.
Lastly, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs also signed a cooperation agreement with the Somali defence minister and Iraqi minister of defence aimed at strengthening areas of joint cooperation in a way that serves mutual interests and enhances defense partnerships between Qatar and each of Somalia and Iraq.
The meetings and signing ceremony were attended by Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces HE Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, and a number of senior officers and officials.
