Doha: January 22 (QNA) The 9th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) concluded on Thursday, marking the largest and most significant edition since its inception.
Held under the gracious patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Qatar National Convention Center, the four-day event was hosted and organized by the Qatar Armed Forces. DIMDEX 2026 brought together more than 200 local and international companies, alongside eight major international pavilions, and welcomed over 130 high-level official delegations representing 82 countries.
During the exhibition, more than 70 agreements, contracts and memoranda of understanding were signed, with a total value exceeding QAR 18.5 billion, reinforcing DIMDEX’s standing as a key platform on the global defense calendar. The event recorded strong public engagement, attracting over 32,000 visitors to the main exhibition and international warships docked at Hamad Port.
DIMDEX 2026 showcased advanced innovations and defense technologies across maritime, land and air domains, including cybersecurity solutions, anti-piracy systems, artificial intelligence applications, C5ISR systems, and unmanned and remote-controlled platforms.
The exhibition also hosted the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference under the patronage of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani, in collaboration with the Jouan bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies. The conference gathered military leaders, experts and academics to discuss regional and international security challenges, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and collective security, particularly in safeguarding maritime routes and freedom of navigation.
HE Sheikh Saoud highlighted the qualitative achievements of this edition, describing DIMDEX as a strategic platform that reflects Qatar’s vision of strengthening defense cooperation through responsible dialogue, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. He expressed anticipation for DIMDEX 10 in 2028, expected to further enhance Qatar’s role as a trusted international partner in promoting regional and global stability.