Organiser programming for UMEX and SimTEX expands to emphasize autonomy and artificial intelligence, while showcasing commercial drone capabilities in logistics, inspection, public safety, and smart city applications through live demos and startup showcases.

Live demonstrations will occur at Tilal Swaihan with 22 leading international organizations, and a dedicated startup platform will enable networking, partnerships, and investment opportunities.

Attendees are advised to verify registration windows, equipment requirements, airspace arrangements, and to sign up in advance for workshops and demos, as logistics and partner details are provided by the organizers.

The edition shifts toward a testing ground where sport pilots, R&D teams, and commercial operators benchmark human skill against autonomous systems, enabling new collaboration with startups and research groups and potential tech transfer.

ADNEC Group emphasizes Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for unmanned systems, simulation, and AI, positioning UMEX and SimTEX as central to industrial growth and global competitiveness.

Defence 4.0 on January 22 will feature panels on AI-enabled drones, multi-domain operations, and space integration, highlighting Defence 4.0 technologies and readiness.

New for 2026 are seven accompanying events, the Autonomous Drone Challenge, and Defence 4.0 discussions focusing on AI-powered drones and space-related autonomy in defense.

UMEX and SimTEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi will run January 20–22, with the International Defence Conference on January 19, under the patronage of a royal sponsor.

Tilal Swaihan demos run in parallel with a global startup platform, creating opportunities to showcase innovations and attract international partnerships and investment.

The UAE Pavilion is the largest national presence, with 45% of exhibitors from national companies and 55% from international firms, reflecting strong global participation.

The A2RL Drone Challenge, organized by ASPIRE as part of ATRC, runs January 21–22 and features high-speed time trials, traditional head-to-head racing, and exhibition matches between pilots and autonomous systems.

The inaugural A2RL Drone Challenge takes place in Hall 10, marking UMEX as a milestone event for regional drone innovation.