DIMDEX 2026 registration launch signals growing momentum in Middle East naval modernization.

Online registration has opened for the ninth edition of DIMDEX, set for 19 to 22 January 2026 at Doha’s Qatar National Convention Centre. The move signals an expanded, more accessible maritime defence forum at a time when Gulf naval procurement and unmanned systems investment are accelerating.

On 23 December 2025, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) has opened online registration for exhibitors, participants, and visitors ahead of its ninth edition, scheduled for 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha. For a defense show built around high-level naval decision-makers and time-sensitive business meetings, the ability to secure accreditation early is often the difference between browsing stands and actually getting into the rooms where fleet priorities, requirements, and procurement roadmaps are discussed.
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DIMDEX 2026 has opened online registration for its January edition in Doha, positioning the exhibition as a key gateway for global naval defense companies, regional decision-makers, and maritime security leaders across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia (Picture source: DIMDEX).

Organisers say the biggest change this year is an upgraded registration and accreditation system introduced with Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, designed to speed up approvals and reduce friction for overseas attendees. International participants who require entry visas can now have their Hayya visa process handled through the integrated DIMDEX system, eliminating the need for a separate application. Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari, chairman of the organising committee, has underlined that the move is intended to support a larger and more diverse international turnout, with the 2026 edition expected to host more than 200 national and international companies.

That scale matters because DIMDEX has evolved into a reference event for maritime defence and security across the Gulf, the wider Middle East and North Africa, and increasingly Asia. Hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the exhibition has steadily positioned itself as a strategic gateway for naval defence industry engagement with MENA markets. The sponsor lineup reflects this industrial weight. Barzan Holdings returns as Strategic Partner and Gold Sponsor, reinforcing Qatar’s defence industrial ambitions, while EDGE and MBDA bring additional depth from advanced weapons systems, naval munitions, and integrated defence solutions.

The attraction of DIMDEX lies in the breadth and operational relevance of what is on display. Visitors can expect a comprehensive showcase spanning surface combatants and patrol vessels, combat management systems, radars and sensors, naval air defence, anti-ship missiles, electronic warfare suites, secure maritime communications, and coastal surveillance architectures. Particular attention is likely to focus on unmanned surface and underwater systems, an area seeing rapid investment as regional navies seek to expand maritime domain awareness and reduce risk to crews.

DIMDEX also distinguishes itself by its ability to connect technology with doctrine and real-world operational experience. Alongside the exhibition floor, the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference provides a closed forum where senior naval leaders discuss threats to sea lines of communication, offshore energy infrastructure protection, and the integration of new capabilities into existing fleets. For industry, these discussions offer invaluable insight into emerging requirements and budget priorities across the region.

A defining feature of the exhibition remains the warship display at Hamad Port. Registered visitors have the opportunity to tour visiting naval vessels, engage with crews, and observe how modern navies configure mission systems and onboard operations. This direct exposure adds a practical dimension that few defence exhibitions can replicate and is particularly valued by technical specialists and programme managers.

With online registration now open, organisers are encouraging early sign-up to ensure access to the full DIMDEX experience, including conferences, warship visits, and networking events. For companies seeking entry into Gulf and wider MENA naval programmes, and for Asian shipbuilders and system suppliers looking for credible regional partnerships, DIMDEX 2026 positions itself as more than an exhibition. It is a convergence point where strategy, capability, and industry meet, reflecting the growing importance of maritime security to regional stability and economic resilience.