DIMDEX 2026: Bigger and Better, in Every Sense

There are more exhibitors and country pavilions than ever before, and the extra day speaks of the sustained growth in size and international prestige of the event, but the show of might by the domestic defence industry will likely end up being the highlight of the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026).

The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar and Supreme Commander of the Qatar Armed Forces, and hosted and organized by the Qatar Armed Forces, assumes greater significance as it is taking place at a time when regional tensions are on the rise. The four-day event has “A global hub for defence innovations: Invest in possibilities to shape a secure tomorrow,” as its theme.

Qatar is still among the top weapons importers – according to SIPRI, the country was third among the largest arms recipients, behind Ukraine and India, and accounted for 6.8 percent of the total arms imports in the 2020–24 period – but the impressive growth of its indigenous defence industry shows that the country’s strategic shift towards self-sufficiency – while still a long road - is already yielding results. Homegrown companies have been able to strike up crucial partnerships, including joint ventures, with counterparts in countries such as the U.S., Türkiye, Germany, Italy, France and Poland. These partnerships, while building local industrial capacity, have also helped the country in its ongoing military modernization efforts. Expect Qatar’s domestic companies to make quite a splash at the event.

The increase in the number of international companies exhibiting at the event is not a coincidence. Having been hit by Iranian and Israeli strikes in 2025, Qatar is focused on enhancing its air defence capabilities and also wants to acquire weapons that will not only enhance its offensive capabilities but also act as a deterrent to potential adversaries. The country is keen on improving its maritime security and is acquiring naval assets such as corvettes and helicopters and developing unmanned systems. Qatar loosened its purse strings in the 2020-2024 period, acquiring the F-15, Rafale, and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, the Patriot air defense systems, and Leopard 2 tanks – and isn’t averse to spending more. Reports indicate that the country’s defence budget could touch US$19 billion by 2027, amounting to nearly 6% of GDP.  International defence firms sense an opportunity and will be keen to impress key decisions makers over the course of the event.

Previous editions have enhanced DIMDEX’s reputation as a major event for commercial deal-making. The 2024 edition concluded with contract values exceeding USD 1.37 billion. According to the organisers, more than 75 contracts have been signed, with a cumulative value surpassing US$38 billion, since the exhibition’s inception.

Impressive Numbers: More than 200 national and international exhibitors, representing leading defence and maritime companies from across the globe, are vying for attention at the biennial event. Over 130 official VIP delegations and senior decision-makers are attending. There are nine international pavilions - France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, Türkiye, China, South Korea, and Qatar. Companies from Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Croatia, and Sweden are also showcasing their capabilities. One of the main storylines is the participation of UAE’s EDGE, as a first-time exhibitor and main sponsor of the event.

A significant number of companies are making their debut at the exhibition. “This reflects the growing influence of DIMDEX across security, commercial, and economic dimensions,” says DIMDEX Organizing Committee Chairman Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al-Ansari. “The consistent influx of new participants highlights the exhibition’s ability to evolve in step with the defence sector, attract emerging technology providers, and offer tangible commercial and strategic value, particularly to companies seeking entry into the specialised maritime defence domain.”

For the second edition in a row, Türkiye is the largest international contingent, with over 40 Turkish exhibitors set to highlight an expanding portfolio of naval platforms, systems, and technologies, as well as capabilities that support multi-domain missions across air, land, cyber, and joint operational environments. The number is both a reflection of strong and growing ties between the two countries as well as the robustness of the Turkish defence industry that has recorded impressive numbers in recent years.

Knowledge Exchange: The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), which is held under the theme “Defence Diplomacy and Maritime Security Challenges,” will explore how the two elements can be leveraged to promote regional and international stability. Experts and academics from around the world will discuss latest geopolitical trends and security issues affecting maritime domains, and suggest ways to safeguard waterways, thus protecting economic and strategic interests. Other major focus areas within the exhibition include autonomous and unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, situational awareness, and integrated command-and-control solutions. Like the previous edition, DIMDEX 2026 also features strong participation from allied defence sectors, including land, air, cyber, and digital defence systems that directly complement maritime security.

Crowd Favourite: The Visiting Warships Display at Hamad Port is expected to draw a sizable crowd, as has been the case in previous editions. Visitors have the opportunity to tour naval vessels from various regions, meet their crew members, and gain first-hand insights into onboard operations. Warships from France, Oman, Russia, Pakistan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are at the port as part of the event.

A significant new addition to the event is a series of specialised, exhibitor-led workshops that will take place over three days, from Tuesday to Thursday in a dedicated area within the exhibition. The workshops provide exhibitors the chance to demonstrate how  advanced technologies and innovative solutions can be applied within the modern defence ecosystem.