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 […]