IDC 2026 to Address Global Standards for Military Autonomy

News Desk - 31/12/2025

The International Defence Conference (IDC 2026) is set to take place ahead of UMEX and SimTEX 2026. The event was announced as part of Abu Dhabi’s growing defence technology calendar.

IDC 2026 will be held on 19 January 2026 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. It will take place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council.

The conference is organised by ADNEC Group. It is being held in association with the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and the Ministry of Defence. This year’s theme is “Smart Horizons: Redefining Defence Through Intelligent Autonomy.”

IDC 2026 is positioned as a global platform where defence and security stakeholders are expected to discuss challenges shaping the future of defence. The theme will focus on how emerging technologies are transforming defence ecosystems and influencing the global security environment.

Moreover, discussions will examine the benefits and risks associated with intelligent autonomous systems on modern battlefields. Participants are expected to address resilience, interoperability and international cooperation, while also exploring complex ethical and operational challenges.

Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, said the conference comes at a critical time. He noted that rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are reshaping the global defence sector. He added that IDC 2026 serves as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange and the formation of partnerships that support defence readiness and technological self-reliance.

He further revealed that efforts remain focused on strengthening the defence innovation ecosystem. These include empowering national industries and improving integration between government, industrial and technology sectors, in line with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable and advanced defence sector.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, reported that IDC 2026, held alongside UMEX and SimTEX 2026, will support innovation in unmanned, autonomous and simulation systems. He said the gathering will bring together defence officials, industry representatives and policymakers to discuss opportunities and challenges shaping defence technologies.

The conference agenda includes three panel discussions across the day. The opening panel, titled “Command Networks of the Future -The New Nerve System of Defence,” will explore AI-enabled command, control and communications systems. It will also examine how human decision-makers and autonomous technologies can operate within unified defence structures.

The second panel, “The Autonomous Force – Integrating AI into Joint and Tactical Operations,” will focus on the integration of intelligent and unmanned systems across land, air, sea and cyber domains. It will draw on insights from recent conflicts and examine the evolving balance between human judgement and AI-driven decision support.

IDC 2026 will conclude with the panel “Global Autonomy Standards – Building Trust, Safety and Readiness.” This session will explore how governments, industry and international organisations can align validation, security and ethical standards to support trusted autonomous military platforms and secure cooperation among allied nations.

Taking place a day before UMEX and SimTEX 2026, IDC 2026 will bring together experts to discuss pathways toward enhanced defence capabilities. Meanwhile, UMEX and SimTEX 2026 are expected to continue supporting the advancement of unmanned systems, simulation and training technologies.

Key focus areas at IDC 2026 include: