UAE defence firms unveil autonomous land, air and swarm systems at UMEX 2026

The UAE has reinforced its position as a global hub for autonomous, unmanned and defence technologies, unveiling a new generation of land, air and AI-enabled systems alongside major defence contracts at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the exhibition brings together global defence leaders, regulators and technology developers as the UAE accelerates its push into advanced autonomous systems.

Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement announced contracts worth AED879.785m ($239.5m) signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence during the first day of UMEX & SimTEX 2026.

Three contracts were signed with EDGE Group, including AED28.883m ($7.9m) for the development of SCORPIO S and SCORPIO M unmanned vehicles, AED22m ($6m) to develop a gyrocopter into an unmanned logistics aircraft, and AED661.194m ($180m) for the purchase of ANAVIA HT-100 aircraft.

In addition, Diveco International for Military Equipment, part of Ramah International Group, signed a contract valued at AED167.708m ($45.7m) for the acquisition of remotely operated vehicles.

Tawazun spokespersons Mohammed Saif Al Zaabi and Manea Abdulkarim Al Mansouri confirmed that further contract announcements will follow throughout the three-day exhibition.

EDGE expands global reach of UAE defence industry

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, said the group’s defence solutions now reach more than 100 countries worldwide, reflecting growing international confidence in Emirati defence manufacturing.

He said EDGE entered 2026 with more than 180 ready-to-deploy solutions and around 40 additional systems under development, all powered by artificial intelligence. More than 70 per cent of EDGE’s sales over the past year were exports, spanning unmanned systems, weapons and security solutions.

Al Marar said: “In the UAE, we take pride in our armed forces and security and police forces, and we strive to provide defence and security products that enable them to perform their daily duties with high efficiency, ensuring that the UAE remains safe for its people and continues to strengthen its position as one of the safest countries in the world”.

Driverless off-road vehicle unveiled

SteerAI, part of the Advanced Technology Research Council ecosystem, unveiled xRift, a fully autonomous off-road vehicle designed for industrial and defence missions in harsh desert and rugged environments.

Launched with the support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, xRift features a flat utility deck capable of carrying payloads of up to 500 kg, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance modules, weapons systems and logistics supplies.

Michael Sonderby, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SteerAI, said: “xRift represents a new generation of high-performance autonomous offroad solution that is reliable, scalable, and customizable to end users’ exact operational needs.”

The vehicle is powered by SteerAI’s CoreX autonomous driving system, developed in cooperation with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), with production units expected to be ready for deployment by the end of 2026.

Autonomous air cargo

Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD Autonomous, revealed that the company has received orders exceeding 200 units for its unmanned aircraft Heli, designed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi.

He said the aircraft, which completed its maiden flight in November 2025, can carry a payload of up to 250 kg and has a range of up to 700km. Initial pilot operations are scheduled for mid-2027, with full certification expected the following year by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

Meanwhile, UAE-based AirQ Limited unveiled its Cargo 200 and Cargo 40 projects, featuring vertical take-off and landing capability and hybrid-powered systems designed for flexible cargo missions.

AI-powered drone swarm

SIRBAI announced the launch of the Middle East’s first AI-powered autonomous drone swarm technology, marking its entry into the defence technology sector.

Developed in Abu Dhabi with support from TII, the platform enables multiple drones to operate collaboratively with high autonomy in complex environments.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Chief Executive Officer at Technology Innovation Institute, said: “The launch of SIRBAI’s next-generation swarm technology marks an important milestone for the region’s defence technology ecosystem.”

Abu Dhabi showcases smart mobility vision

The Integrated Transport Centre, an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, is participating in UMEX & SimTEX 2026 as the Regulatory Mobility Partner, showcasing autonomous mobility solutions including AI-powered charging robots, drone trials and the UAE Drones Unified Platform supporting advanced air mobility and flying taxis.