UMEX & SimTEX 2022 conclude an exceptional edition with historic deals exceeding AED 2 billion

With wide-scale international participation and Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, the fifth edition of UMEX & SimTEX 2022 concluded today at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and was the largest edition of this event in terms of exhibition area and exhibitors, with 134 exhibitors from 26 countries from around the world.

On the third day of the UMEX and SimTEX 2022 exhibitions, the Ministry of Defence announced the signing of  six new deals with a total value of AED 455.495 million, an increase of more than 266% over the 2020 version, and the total deals and contracts concluded by the Ministry since the launch of the fifth edition increased to more than AED 2 billion, an increase of approximately 177% from the fourth edition’s deals in 2020.

The Ministry of Defence’s deals on the third and final day of UMEX & SimTEX 2022 included deals with local companies valued at AED 51 million, and contracts with international companies valued at around AED 404.495 million.

These deals included one with Star Satellite Communications Company valued at AED 26 million for installing a communications system for the drone project, and a deal with the Emirates Technical Services for providing technical support and assistance for the container system at a value of AED 25 million.

The third day’s deals also included one valued at AED 112.966 million with Boeing for providing training and maintenance services for flight simulators, and one with France’s Thales DMS valued at AED 66.128 million for updating and developing naval systems on planes, a deal valued at AED 194.352 with ESE Limited for providing self-defence equipment for planes, and a deal valued at AED 31.048 million with CAE Maritime Middle East for revising the contract for a plane training centre.

At the conclusion of the event, His Excellency Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, head of the UMEX and SimTEX 2022 and accompanying conference Higher Organising Committee, said: “This growth in the scale of deals reflects the UAE’s pivotal role in enhancing the national and regional economy, stability, and security and its leading position in promoting innovations in the field of unmanned systems. It also supports its work towards developing national capabilities which empower and strengthen the UAE to confront challenges.

“In addition to the deals, the exhibitions provided a platform for international companies to unveil their advanced technologies and new innovations, unveiling 22 never-before-seen technologies during the live demonstrations held today at Tilal Swaihan area in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

His Excellency said: “The achievements of this edition bolster the leading position of the exhibitions as platforms specialising in unmanned systems, simulation, and training, which play a pivotal role in strengthening the presence and position of the UAE as a leading global centre for technology and innovation, all in accordance with global trends for adopting the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and its group of subsidiaries, said: “The fifth edition of UMEX and SimTEX was successful in light of the current exceptional circumstances, as the total area of the two exhibitions increased by 20% compared to the previous edition. In 2022, the number of exhibiting companies reached 141 companies from 27 countries, while the number of visitors to the exhibition reached 15,874, and the number of official delegations increased to 264 official delegations, an increase of 32% compared to the previous edition of the exhibition.

Al Dhaheri indicated that ADNEC has appointed a specialised company to conduct a survey to measure the satisfaction of visitors and participants in the activities of the two exhibitions and the accompanying conference, and 92% of the visitors and participants stressed the importance of the UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions, and 98% of them expressed their satisfaction with the experience of participation, while 88% of visitors showed interest for their participation in the next edition in 2024, and more than 99% expressed their satisfaction with the precautionary measures that were applied at the event and 99% of them said that they felt safe during their visit, which reflects the efficiency of ADNEC’s work teams and the precautionary measures that it applies in all its efficacy.

Al Dhaheri thanked the Supreme Organizing Committee of the event, and all partners in the government and private sectors for their continuous support, led by the Ministry of Defence and EDGE, the strategic partner of the exhibitions, who worked side by side to make the exhibitions a success and to produce them in a manner that befits the reputation and prestige of the Emirate at regional and international levels.

Never-before-seen technologies

The third and final days of the exhibitions saw the launch of the live demonstrations at Tilal Swaihan area, which served as a unique platform for showcasing aerial and grounded unmanned systems, AI and robotics technology, and simulation and training systems, with the 15 demonstrations unveiling 22 advanced technologies and new innovations that have never been seen before in the world.

The demonstrations included the ADASI Garmousha, a new-generation drone, and the ADASI QX-2 loitering munitions system for infantry and special forces, which is a drone that can transport weapons with high precision, followed by a demonstration of the Kungsörn drone which is capable of vertical take-off and landing, the Blowfish A3 UAV which can carry heavy loads and operate in difficult environments including oceans and mountains, and the PD-2 unmanned system that provided integrated UAS solutions for military and civilian applications. The demonstrations concluded with a showcase of the Thermite RS3, a robot for extinguishing industrial fires operated by remote belly-pack controllers that provides precise reactions and video feedback that allows manoeuvring in difficult conditions.

UMEX & SimTEX and the accompanying delegations have high strategic position and importance in the agenda of annual events organised and hosted by ADNEX, as the event represents a leading global platform for unmanned systems, training, and simulation experts which contributes to enhancing cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and learning about the most important technologies and innovations in these vital sectors.

Since its launch, this event has been contributing to the diversification of national economy in accordance with the goals and aspirations of our wise leadership for the next fifty years in terms of adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution by enhancing the UAE’s position as a leading global centre for innovation and technology.

UMEX & SimTEX made significant contributions to GDP growth and the diversification of income sources, as technology and unmanned systems contribute to economic growth and provide job opportunities in several sectors in the UAE, in addition to consolidating Abu Dhabi’s leading role in the global business tourism sector in terms of hosting and organizing prominent international exhibitions. The two exhibitions also contribute to increasing strategic investments in advanced and innovative technologies by providing a strategic platform for building active partnerships and enhancing communication among major international players in the unmanned systems, training, and simulation sectors.