Strong global participation underscores the UAE’s expanding role in the defence and aerospace sectors.
ISTANBUL: The UAE National Pavilion concluded its first day at the SAHA International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition 2026 with strong attendance from international delegations, industry leaders, and representatives of major global defence and security companies.
The exhibition, which brings together thousands of companies and key decision-makers from more than 120 countries, will run until May 9 at the Istanbul Expo Center.
The UAE’s participation is backed by the UAE Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, and is organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon company.
The participation underscores the UAE’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors, while also advancing high-level industrial partnerships.
High-profile delegates
Alongside strong attendance from senior military leaders and international delegations on the opening day, the UAE National Pavilion welcomed high-level representatives from countries including Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Chad, Mauritania, and Turkey.
This highlights the exhibition’s significance as a global platform for dialogue and international cooperation in the defence sector.
The UAE delegation, led by Brigadier General Ahmed Al Zaabi, welcomed several distinguished visitors, including Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Minister of Defence, and Brigadier General Rashid Farhan from the Kuwaiti National Guard.
The Kuwaiti delegation also included Colonel Hamoud Khalid Eid and Colonel Faisal Bader Jassim.
Other notable visitors included Lieutenant General Saad Hati Arabi from Iraq’s Ministry of Defence, Hanenna Ould Sidi, Mauritania’s Minister of Defence, Affairs of Retirees and Children of Martyrs, Lieutenant General Amine Ahmed Idriss, Chief of Staff of the Air Force of Chad, and Colonel Mohammed Al Khayal, Qatar’s Military Attaché.
Many officials showed strong interest in the advanced systems and solutions presented by leading Emirati defence and security companies, including EDGE Group, Calidus, Generation 5 Holding, and AAL Group.
Promotions
On the first day, the pavilion welcomed around 950 visitors and facilitated a series of productive engagements, hosting 113 meetings across exhibitor booths and dedicated meeting spaces.
These included exclusive meetings with EDGE Group and Calidus, while AAL Group also hosted discussions at its exhibitor booth.
Capital Events, the event management arm of ADNEC Group, held a series of meetings to promote the 2027 editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), as well as the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and the Simulation and Training Exhibition (2028), targeting new international markets.
