UMEX (Unmanned Systems Exhibition) and its co-located SimTEX (Simulation and Training Exhibition) form the world's largest dedicated event for unmanned, autonomous and simulation technologies, held biennially at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Bringing together 390 exhibitors from 40 countries, military delegations, investors and technology innovators, UMEX is the definitive gateway to defence-grade autonomy in the Middle East and beyond.
UMEX & SimTEX is a biennial, co-located double exhibition held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, dedicated entirely to unmanned and autonomous systems (UMEX) and to simulation, virtual-reality and training technologies (SimTEX). Organised by ADNEC Group (now under the Modon brand) in association with the UAE Ministry of Defence and strategic partner EDGE Group, and co-supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), it is the only event in the Middle East focused exclusively on this sector. First staged in 2013, the show runs every two years in the first quarter of the year. The 2026 edition -- the seventh -- was held 20-22 January 2026 and broke all previous records; the eighth edition is scheduled for 7-9 March 2028.
UMEX was conceived in 2012 by ADNEC Group and the UAE Ministry of Defence as a specialist spin-off from IDEX, recognising that unmanned systems warranted their own dedicated platform. The inaugural edition in 2013 drew a modest cohort of vendors and researchers at a time when military drones were just beginning to move into mainstream procurement. SimTEX, covering simulation and training, joined the same floorplan from the outset, creating a natural synergy between autonomous platforms and the synthetic environments used to train their operators. Over seven editions the combined show has grown from a niche gathering into the world's largest purely unmanned-systems exhibition, with 2026 registering an 82 percent increase in exhibitor numbers and a 45 percent rise in visitor figures compared to 2024.
The eighth edition of UMEX & SimTEX takes place 7-9 March 2028 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Organisers have indicated that the 2028 show will extend the concept streams established in 2026 -- the International Defence Conference (IDC), the A2RL Drone Challenge, the Autonomous Investors Summit (Elevate), the Defence 4.0 Conference and the Future of Autonomy track -- while introducing additional live-demo arenas and an expanded outdoor demonstration site at Tilal Swaihan. Full exhibitor and programme details are expected from mid-2027. The 2026 edition set the benchmark: Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement announced deals valued at AED 3.6 billion, a 20 percent increase on 2024, and the exhibitor Net Promoter Score reached +50, placing the show in the top 5 percent of global exhibitions.
UMEX occupies a unique niche in Q1 of odd-numbered years, slotting between IDEX (which also runs from ADNEC in Abu Dhabi in February of odd years, and is itself a much larger general-defence platform) and the European spring conference season. Because UMEX is thematically focused, it competes less with IDEX than it complements it: many buyers attend both within weeks. In the Gulf region, it has no direct competitor for the unmanned-systems vertical; globally, it faces XPONENTIAL (USA) and the UAS Summit series but offers a distinctly Middle Eastern procurement angle and a sovereign-wealth investor dimension that Western counterparts lack.
The exhibitor base spans tier-1 defence primes (General Atomics, Shield AI, Thales, EDGE Group subsidiaries), specialist drone and robotics start-ups from across Europe, Asia and the Americas, and a fast-growing cohort of UAE and Gulf sovereign-defence companies. Military delegations from more than 40 countries attend for procurement reconnaissance and bilateral meetings. On the visitor side, the audience combines serving armed-forces officers, government officials, civil-aviation regulators, logistics and energy sector professionals, and a growing number of venture investors attracted by the Elevate investor summit. The International Defence Conference (IDC), embedded in the show, draws over 750 attendees and is credentialled for senior military and ministry-level attendance.
The event occupies 40,000 sqm of indoor and outdoor space across ADNEC's exhibition halls, structured into two principal zones: a Defence and Security Innovations zone and a Commercial and Industry Solutions zone. Alongside the main floorplan, four Live Demo Arenas host hands-on flight and robotics demonstrations. The outdoor Tilal Swaihan site provides a purpose-built airspace for large UAS, counter-UAS and swarming demonstrations. Conference programming spans six streams: the IDC (defence policy and military operations), Defence 4.0 (AI and next-generation military technology), the A2RL Drone Challenge (autonomous AI drone racing), the SASC-backed Designing Advanced Technologies Summit, the Future of Autonomy commercial track, and Elevate (investor-start-up matchmaking). A MOD Coding Challenge, open to all visitors, adds a competition layer.
Key technology pillars include: fixed-wing and rotary unmanned air vehicles (UAVs/UAS); loitering munitions and counter-UAS; unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotic platforms; unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs); AI and autonomy software; C5ISR and communications for unmanned systems; simulation, synthetic environments and virtual-reality training tools; cybersecurity for autonomous networks; advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air transport; and dual-use commercial applications in logistics, agriculture and smart cities.
| Exhibitors | 390 |
| Countries represented | 40 |
| Visitors | 37,878 |
| Growth in exhibitors vs. 2024 | +82% |
| Growth in visitors vs. 2024 | +45% |
| IDC attendees | 750+ |
| Exhibition space | 40,000 sqm |
| Live Demo Arenas | 4 |
| Deals announced (Tawazun Council) | AED 3.6 billion |
| Exhibitor Net Promoter Score | +50 (top 5% globally) |
UMEX & SimTEX is exclusively focused on unmanned and autonomous systems plus simulation and training technologies. General land systems, naval vessels, and manned combat aircraft appear at IDEX, the sister event held at the same venue.
The show is organised by ADNEC Group (rebranded under Modon) in association with the UAE Ministry of Defence. EDGE Group, the UAE's state-owned defence conglomerate, is strategic partner. The Smart and Autonomous Systems Council and the Advanced Technology Research Council are technology partners, reflecting the deep government backing of the event.
UMEX actively encourages dual-use and commercial exhibitors: the Commercial and Industry Solutions zone is specifically designed for companies applying autonomous technology in logistics, energy, healthcare, smart cities and agriculture. The Elevate investor summit is tailored to start-ups seeking Gulf-region funding.
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi is located at Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi (PO Box 5546). The venue offers 153,678 sqm of combined indoor and outdoor event space across 12 interconnected exhibition halls, plus a 6,000-capacity International Convention Centre (ICC), two conference halls with a total capacity of over 1,600, and 21 meeting rooms. UMEX uses approximately 40,000 sqm of this space. The centre is 15 minutes by road from Zayed International Airport; taxis and rideshare services are readily available (approx. AED 50 from the airport). Public buses A1 and A2 connect the airport to the venue. Ample on-site parking is provided. Multiple hotels are within walking distance or a short drive.
ADNEC Group, now operating under the Modon brand, is the Abu Dhabi government-owned exhibition and venue operator responsible for ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi -- one of the largest multipurpose exhibition venues in the Middle East. The group also operates ExCeL London. ADNEC produces and manages a portfolio of owned events including IDEX, NAVDEX and UMEX & SimTEX in the defence vertical, as well as events across energy, food, education and technology sectors. The partnership with the UAE Ministry of Defence and EDGE Group gives UMEX unique access to senior military decision-makers and government procurement budgets.
UMEX & SimTEX has quietly become the world's most important single-sector defence show: its 2026 edition delivered more exhibitor growth than any comparable show that year, signalling that the Gulf's sovereign investment in autonomous systems is translating directly into procurement-ready market demand.
Trade visitor registration for UMEX is managed through the official website (registration.xporience.com). Admission for trade visitors is not disclosed on the public site; complimentary passes are typically available with advance registration. Public-day access details are not disclosed for the 2028 edition. Exhibitor and sponsorship enquiries are handled via the ADNEC sales team (email: marketing@umexabudhabi.ae; tel: +971 2 444 6900 within UAE or 800 23 632). General enquiries and operations: operations@umexabudhabi.ae.
UAE visa requirements depend on nationality. Many nationalities obtain a visa on arrival or qualify for e-visa; others require a pre-arranged visa. Check the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security website for current rules.
UMEX requires modest attire, in line with UAE cultural norms. Business casual is standard for trade visitors; formal suits or uniforms are common for military and government delegates.
Multiple hotels are within walking distance or a 5-10 minute taxi ride from ADNEC, including the Aloft Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza and Hyatt Capital Gate. Early booking is advised as Abu Dhabi hotel capacity fills quickly during major exhibitions.
| Official website | https://www.umexabudhabi.ae/en |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/umex-simtex/ | |
| X | https://x.com/umex_simtex |
| Register | https://registration.xporience.com/url?redirect=17oprul8Zvef&badge_name=media |
| Programme | https://www.umexabudhabi.ae/en/agenda |