2026 UMEX
Exhibition Dates: January 20–22, 2026
Venue: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Frequency: Biennial
Exhibition Introduction
UMEX, the Abu Dhabi International Drone Exhibition, stands as one of the UAE’s largest and most influential drone-focused events, and the only Middle Eastern exhibition dedicated entirely to drones, robotics, and unmanned systems operations . Organized by IDEX L.L.C and co-supported by the UAE Ministry of Defense, the event serves as a critical hub for global stakeholders to address the evolving needs of the drone market while showcasing cutting-edge technologies from the region’s leading developers .
Hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), UMEX 2026 will feature 25,500 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to demonstrating state-of-the-art drone systems, with a strategic focus on fostering profitable partnerships between manufacturers and buyers. Beyond commercial opportunities, the platform emphasizes advancements in drone applications for civil and humanitarian purposes, including disaster relief, infrastructure inspection, and smart city management .
Participants will gain access to regional and international networks, engaging in knowledge-sharing with industry leaders across defense, agriculture, maritime surveillance, and aerospace sectors. The event’s unique positioning bridges military and civilian innovations, reflecting the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in unmanned technology integration .
Previous Edition Highlight
Exhibition Scale: 25,500㎡ of exhibition space attracted 25,000 visitors from 30 countries, alongside 166 exhibitors and 200 national delegates .
Media Coverage: Over 500 international journalists reported on the event, highlighting breakthroughs in AI-driven navigation systems, hydrogen-powered drones, and laser-based anti-drone technologies .Strategic Impact: The 2024 edition facilitated AED 2.9 billion (USD 790 million) in transactions, underscoring the Middle East’s growing role in shaping global drone market trends .
Exhibition Categories
Drones:Consumer drones; commercial drones; military drones; 警用无人机 (police drones); agricultural drones; maritime drones; surveillance and security drones; traffic monitoring drones; aerial filming drones; pipeline inspection drones; 水利无人机 (water management drones); 电力无人机 (powerline inspection drones); disaster response drones; fishing drones; unmanned helicopters.
Aerodynamics/Structure/Overall Design/Materials:
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs); unmanned surface vessels (USVs); unmanned ground vehicles; airships; aerospace drones; target drones; unmanned paragliders;unmanned boats; autonomous vehicles; composite materials; coatings; landing gear; radomes.
Control & Navigation:
GPS/GNSS systems; flight control systems; automatic control systems; ground control stations (GCS); autopilots; flight control software/hardware; servo systems; simulation platforms; remote sensing technologies; sensors.
Mission Payloads:
Imaging/video equipment; infrared detection systems; optical stabilization platforms; TV cameras; infrared scanners; low-light cameras; frame/panoramic cameras; aviation recorders; synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
Power & Energy:
Power supplies; engines; motors; batteries; propellers; gearboxes; electronic fuel control systems; hydrogen fuel cells (as highlighted in 2024’s hydrogen-powered drone demonstrations) .
