The ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) kicked off at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on Monday. HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, under whose patronage the event is being held, attended the Opening Ceremony at the QNCC earlier today.

DIMDEX 2026, being organised and hosted by Qatar Armed Forces under the theme ‘A Global Hub for Defence Innovations – Invest in Possibilities to Shape a Secure Tomorrow,’ is set to run until January 22.

DIMDEX 2026 will bring together over 200 national and international companies, specialising in security and defence, alongside eight major international pavilions. Over 25,000 visitors are expected to visit the exhibition, spread over more than 40,000 SqM of exhibition space.

In a pre-event Press conference, DIMDEX 2026 Organising Committee Chairman Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari said all preparations had been complete for the international event.

“The ninth edition of DIMDEX 2026 is the largest and most expansive since the event’s inception, reflecting the growing international interest in DIMDEX, which has become one of the most prominent events on the global defence calendar,” said Al Ansari.

“DIMDEX serves as a key platform for bringing together technological advancements and the latest innovations to address the evolving needs and trends in the defence and security domains. The exhibition has evolved into a comprehensive showcase of the latest naval, air, and land defence systems, alongside related sectors such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, radar, and advanced surveillance systems, as well as other technological solutions essential to modern military operations,” said Al Ansari.

“The exhibition also represents a major hub for companies to conclude commercial agreements, drive business growth, and stimulate investment, while providing valuable opportunities to establish strategic partnerships. Moreover, DIMDEX facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise, offering fresh perspectives on defence-related issues and enabling a deeper understanding of emerging geopolitical and security challenges,” he added.

The event will also feature a wide range of local and national companies from related sectors, as well as representation from various branches of the Qatar Armed Forces. The exhibition will showcase the latest defence innovations and technologies across more than.

Staff Brigadier Al Ansari also emphasised the importance of extending the exhibition to four days, in response to exhibitors’ requests, ensuring that exhibitors and visiting delegations have maximum opportunity to benefit from the event.

DIMDEX 2026 will feature a number of events that have become established components of the exhibition, including the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference, held in cooperation with the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies, visits of the official VIP delegations, as well as the international visiting warships at Hamad Port.

DIMDEX 2026 will include specialised workshops delivered by exhibitors over three days, in a dedicated area within the exhibition. These workshops will enable participating exhibitors to present their latest innovations directly to delegations and attendees.

As part of DIMDEX 2026, Hamad Port welcomed eight visiting warships earlier today, including the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces vessel ‘Al Fulk’, with local and international media in attendance.

Visitors can register online at www.dimdex.com to access the exhibition.

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