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2020-02-02

Bigger and Better UMEX and SimTEX

Middle East Ready to Welcome

Building on the success of the previous Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Conference in 2016 and 2018, launched during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), the Middle East region is ready to welcome a bigger and better UMEX show in 2020.

The event will also include a Simulation and Training (SimTEX) zone to reflect the growth and investment in the UAE and GCC countries. Both events are held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in cooperation with the General Command of the Armed Forces, from February 23-25, 2020.

UMEX and SimTEX are ideally positioned to provide a professional platform for manufacturers to meet operators and establish lucrative business relationships while promoting the ecological, environmental, civil and humanitarian benefits of unmanned systems and military simulation and training. Supported by the UAE Armed Forces GHQ and attended by regional government delegations, agencies, industry, military and civilian authorities, the event will be the ideal platform to promote unmanned systems technology and capability to a dedicated and focused industry audience.

Keeping pace with the forefront of industry innovations and market requirements, UMEX 2020 will be a standalone show which will feature an exhibition, conference and live flying demonstrations and will provide opportunities to discuss the latest developments, trends and innovations in the UAS sector. In 2020, SimTEX will promote cooperation among the Armed Services, industry, academia and various government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programmes, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programmes.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ADNEC and Tawazun Economic Council in cooperation with the Supreme Command of the UAE Armed Forces, is set to organise a special conference on February 22, 2020 along with SimTEX. Under the theme ‘Manned-Unmanned Teaming in the Age of Smart Systems’, the special conference will be held one day prior to the launch of UMEX and SimTEX 2020, both of which will take place in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Unique Expo Highlighting UAE’s Leading Global Role in Fourth Industrial Revolution

Saeed Al Mansouri, Executive Director of IDEX, a subsidiary of ADNEC, said: “This year we will complete the series of successes achieved in previous editions. The third edition of UMEX and SimTEX witnessed great success and local and international record turnout, thanks to the directives and support of our wise leadership, and as a result of the exceptional efforts made by ADNEC and its group of companies in cooperation with partners from the public and private sectors, organising committees and media establishments sponsoring the exhibitions and the accompanying conference.”

Al Mansouri added: “At ADNEC, we are always focused on hosting and organising international exhibitions and events that support business tourism sectors identified in the Abu Dhabi plan, that contribute to advancing economic development in the Emirate. We are proud of organising this unique exhibition, which specialises in presenting technologies of unmanned defence systems, simulation and training systems in addition to robotics and artificial intelligence, and highlights the role of the UAE and enhances its global leading position in the fourth industrial revolution.”

Ideal Business Platform to Promote Unmanned Systems

Nation Shield, the official journal of UAE Armed Forces, is chosen as the official publication of UMEX-SimTEX 2020. Staff Colonel Yousef Jumah Al Haddad, Editor-in-Chief, said: “Established in 1971, Nation Shield is published every month by the UAE Armed Forces. Public distribution is carried out through agents who circulate directly to selected readers, while private distribution is channelled through complimentary copies sent to high-ranking military and civil officials in the UAE, their counterparts in the Arab countries, government departments, embassies, academic institutions, research centres and to international organisations.

“Supported by the UAE Armed Forces GHQ and attended by regional government delegations, agencies, industry, military and civilian authorities, UMEX 2020 will be the ideal business platform to promote unmanned systems technology and capability to a dedicated and focused industry audience. Being the official journal of the UAE Armed Forces, we are honoured to have this agreement with Adnec and share with them our vast expertise in bringing out specialised publications to promote high calibre defence and security events such as IDEX/NAVDEX, UMEX and the Dubai Airshow. Nation Shield will be the official publisher of UMEX 2020 publications – UMEX 2020 Show Guide, Show daily and Map book. Nation Shield Show dailies will be printed each day (February 23, 24, 25) and distributed to the official delegates, exhibitors and visitors who attend UMEX.

“In joining forces with ADNEC and the companies attending UMEX and SimTEX 2020, we aim to provide them with international coverage through our show dailies as well as a wide range of media opportunities such as interviews, talk shows and video coverage with senior executives and leading industry experts in future technologies.”

As a part of Vision 2030, Abu Dhabi will concentrate on developing its capabilities in the manufacturing and maintenance of civil and military aerospace equipment and parts, defence electronics and other equipment and space apparatus. UMEX will be addressing changes in the market environment and will develop the ideal business platform that will meet the objectives of the UAE Armed Forces.

‘Manned-Unmanned Teaming in the Age of Smart Systems’

The ‘Manned-Unmanned Teaming in the Age of Smart Systems’ conference will attract experts, decision makers, senior officials and academics working in the unmanned systems, simulation and training sectors. It will promote the UAE as a global destination for conferences specialised in unmanned systems and simulation and training systems, and help keep abreast of the latest scientific and technological developments in this field as well as share best practices and the latest Research & Development in this ever-changing field.

The conference sessions will discuss possible solutions to the challenges facing our world in the light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The agenda will cover four main themes; the first one is the Human Dimension, which will discuss manned and unmanned teaming in the age of autonomy. As part of the second theme, subject matter experts will discuss missions and operations that examine the role of unmanned systems in supporting multi-domain operations, in addition to missions and operations in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The third theme, entitled Industry and Market, will examine the future of the unmanned systems sector and the integration and interoperability of unmanned systems.

Finally, border security has been added to this year's conference as a fourth theme and as one of the main topics for debate and discussions. Experts and decision makers in the border security sector will discuss the implications of the digital age on joint action in ports and border security as well as the new intellectual approach in the light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The conference provides a global platform where experts address the most urgent developments facing the world under the Fourth Industrial Revolution in addition to the new challenges and opportunities it poses.

It will also seek innovative solutions to challenges and foresee the future in a world of accelerated scientific developments and innovations and increased reliance on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

Building on the Success of Previous Editions

During the 2018 event, the UAE Armed Forces signed a series of deals. In all, 10 defence deals worth AED 294.225 million were signed on the third day of the exhibition. Nine deals worth AED 292.492 million were signed on the second day, while the first day saw the signing of 10 deals worth AED 291.654 million taking the total value of deals signed to AED 878.371 million. The previous editions of both UMEX and SimTEX in 2018 witnessed high turnout, and the number of participating countries rose to 34, with the total area of both events reaching 17,000 m2. The number of global and local companies participating increased to 122, with the overall number of visitors reaching 13,000 approx. The event also received extensive media coverage locally and internationally.

Adasi is the strategic partner, while the destination management partner is Etihad Holidays. Major players in unmanned systems are drawn to the expo as they can showcase latest innovations to the right target market players, get exposed to the latest technologies in the defence, environmental, civil, and humanitarian industries, and access an ideal platform to meet, engage and interact with professionals in unmanned systems.

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