UMEX SimTEX 2026 Opens In Abu Dhabi With Broad International Participation

The Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2026 open at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and run until 22nd January, presenting their largest edition so far and highlighting how unmanned systems, robotics, simulation, AI, and training tools are reshaping civil, commercial, and defence activities across the Middle East.

Organisers report strong expansion across all indicators since the exhibitions first launched in 2015, with the seventh edition described as the most extensive yet, reflecting rapid growth in unmanned systems and training technologies and their wider adoption across sectors that range from commercial logistics and infrastructure inspection to civil security and military operations.

The 2026 show floor area increases by 34 percent compared with 2024, reaching 40,322 square metres, while the combined number of participating companies and brands climbs to 375, representing a 74 percent rise from the previous edition and signalling deeper industry commitment to unmanned systems, simulation platforms, and advanced training solutions.

International reach also grows, with 38 countries represented, up 9 percent, and 10 nations appearing for the first time; the UAE pavilion is the largest by size, followed by China and the US, while national firms account for 45 percent of exhibitors and overseas companies contribute 55 percent of stands.

The 2026 edition gathers local and international experts alongside leading UAE and global companies, underlining the country’s capabilities in unmanned systems and AI-enabled simulation, while the expanding civil and commercial use cases and the strong presence of national industry show how the events support industrial development, competitiveness, international market access, partnerships, and knowledge localisation.

With inputs from WAM