UMEX 2026 exceeds expectations in Abu Dhabi after a key week for global defense
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — The seventh edition of UMEX 2026 and the International Defence Conference (IDC), held last week in Abu Dhabi, strengthened ACK3’s international positioning in the defense sector. Over several days, the exhibition brought together government officials, military leaders, technology companies, and specialized consultancies, creating a space where intelligence, autonomy, and risk management set the global agenda. ACK3’s active presence, alongside the Spanish representation through ISDEFE, highlights that participating in these strategic forums is not just a matter of visibility, but of influence and access to key decisions in technology and smart defense.
What is the International Defence Conference (IDC)?
The International Defence Conference is the strategic forum that accompanies UMEX and SimTEX. It brings together policymakers, military leaders, industry executives, and innovation experts to discuss the real impact of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and new defense architectures. Its goal is not to showcase products, but to align visions: how to integrate autonomy safely, how to prepare organizations for hybrid scenarios, and how to build defense ecosystems capable of responding to complex threats. The IDC has established itself as a space where priorities are defined and operational models are evaluated, which later set the agenda in the industry.
The pulse of the event
- Autonomy and decision-making: one of the central themes was the use of artificial intelligence in operational environments. The discussion focused on how autonomous systems are changing response times, information management, and decision-making in critical scenarios.
- New command architectures: experts and institutional leaders focused on the need for resilient networks that integrate manned and unmanned platforms, keeping human control as an indispensable element.
- Trust, regulation, and standards: another major topic was the development of ethical and regulatory frameworks that allow these technologies to be deployed with safeguards, interoperability, and effective oversight.
Spanish presence and strategic networking
Spain was represented by ISDEFE, enhancing the visibility of the national ecosystem in a highly competitive environment. Its presence highlighted the role of the Spanish industry and technical expertise in forums where international standards are being defined.
Additionally, ACK3 attended UMEX and the International Defence Conference as part of its international positioning strategy. During the event, Toña Díaz, CFO of ACK3, exchanged words with H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, in a meeting focused on international cooperation, defense ecosystems, and strategic development opportunities. This dialogue reinforces ACK3’s role as an influential interlocutor in high-level decision-making within the sector.
Trends that were consolidated
- Real integration of autonomous systems in operational environments.
- Data-driven defense, with platforms designed as intelligence nodes.
- Technological risk management as a strategic priority, not just a technical one.
UMEX 2026 made it clear that the debate is no longer about whether these technologies will be implemented, but about who will lead their governance, integration, and impact.
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