Doha: The Organizing Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) held a diplomatic briefing Monday, ahead of the convention of the 9th expo. The briefing took place at the Qatari Amiri Naval Forces Base – Umm Al Houl and was attended by HE Commander of the Amiri Naval Forces Major General (Navy) Abdullah bin Hassan Al Sulaiti, ambassadors, diplomatic mission representatives, alongside military and commercial attaches accredited to the State of Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the committee presented the most important information and logistical arrangements pertaining to participation in this event, as well as the key developments that deepened DIMDEX’s standing as a leading global platform in the defense sector, highlighting the impact of its increasing commercial growth and capability of meeting the sector’s needs. Organized and hosted by Qatar Armed Forces, the event will be held under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani from Jan. 19-22, 2026, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme: “A Global Hub for Defence Innovations: Invest in Possibilities to Shape a Secure Tomorrow”.
Chairman of the DIMDEX Organizing Committee, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari, underscored the importance of this event, which positions itself as a key platform showcasing commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in the defense field. He emphasized that the committee is ready to present a broad new edition of this high-stakes event.
DIMDEX 2026 has significantly contributed to encouraging collaboration and partnerships, fostering communication channels, and streamlining major commercial deals, Al Ansari said during the briefing. He added that this convention earns growing significance amid the accelerating challenges in today’s world, which literally contributes to bolstering the essential defensive capabilities to protect national sovereignty and assets, in addition to ensuring the security and safety of peoples.
“DIMDEX continues to grow in significance in light of the rapidly evolving challenges our world faces today, contributing to the advancement of defence capabilities essential for safeguarding national sovereignty, protecting resources, and ensuring the security and safety of nations and peoples. DIMDEX reflects the State of Qatar’s steadfast commitment to supporting security and stability and reaffirms its position as a prominent international event that attracts the world’s leading defence companies. It continues to open new horizons for cooperation and business opportunities, which has been clearly demonstrated through the notable growth in the numbers of exhibitors, delegations, and visitors, as well as in the value of contracts and agreements signed during previous editions”, Al Ansari said.
“The exhibition will feature the participation of more than 200 national and international defence and related companies, in addition to 8 major national pavilions showcasing the latest innovations and military technologies. For the first time, DIMDEX 2026 will be extended to four days, and will host a series of specialised workshops introduced in direct response to exhibitor demand, demonstrating DIMDEX Organisers’ commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of the commercial industry. These workshops, delivered by exhibitors from 20 to 22 January 2026, will present their advanced solutions, innovative technologies, and strategic insights on the future of maritime defence and security”, he added.
Staff Colonel (Air) Jarrah Sabah Al Abdallah, from the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies, partners of the Middle East Naval Commanders conference (MENC) stated: “The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) will convene under the theme ‘Defence Diplomacy and Maritime Security Challenges’. The conference will serve as an academic platform to examine the intersection of defence diplomacy and maritime security, and to develop strategies aimed at enhancing stability at sea. It will also highlight the importance of multilateral frameworks in securing critical sea lanes and safeguarding nations’ economic and strategic interests. The conference will feature distinguished local and international speakers, naval commanders from across the globe, as well as leading academics, who will deliberate on the latest geopolitical trends and the evolving challenges to maritime security”.
Overall, DIMDEX represents a premier platform for bilateral and multilateral meetings, contributing to the strengthening of relations among participants, while facilitating discussions on the potential conclusion of commercial deals and contracts. In addition, it provides a dedicated program to manage official delegations’ schedules, enabling exhibitors to engage directly with decision-makers in the defence sector from across the globe and coordinate critical appointments efficiently, in addition to showcasing the latest integrated and advanced defence innovations, providing exhibitors with promising opportunities to secure commercial deals and realize returns on investment.
DIMDEX 2026 will feature a wide swath of globally renowned firms specializing in advanced defence solutions and technologies, alongside emerging small and medium enterprises seeking to expand their footprint in the defence sector. The Expo spans a total area of 40,000 square meters across seven halls at QNCC, contributing to reinvigorating the path of domestic economic growth by attracting thousands of participants and visitors, in addition to bolstering the nation’s security and prosperity in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.