The final day of UMEX and SIMTEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi saw AED 1.26 billion ($342 million) in new contracts for UAE defense firms. EDGE Group secured agreements for jet-powered UAVs (AED 385.7 million) and Tracked RCV & THEMIS unmanned ground vehicles (AED 525.2 million), while Caracal International received AED 345.3 million for remote weapons systems. These deals follow 11 contracts totaling $980 million, marking a 20% increase from UMEX 2024. The exhibition also highlighted 3D-printed unmanned surface vessels, which are gaining interest for ISR, combat, and expendable “suicide” missions due to cost efficiency and ease of integration with sensors and weapons. Industry leaders noted that 3D printing enables rapid production at scale, offering flexibility for maritime and land-based unmanned platforms in both peacetime and conflict scenarios.
