ABU DHABI: The UAE is hosting a stand-alone trade show focusing on drone technology for civil and military use amid surging demand for such systems across the region.
Running until Tuesday, the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (Umex) is being attended by 14 nations and 35 exhibitors.
Brig. Gen. Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, chairman of the higher organizing committee of Umex and SimTEX 2018, said this year’s exhibition will shed light on scientific and technological progress and innovation in the UAE.
Among the top companies in attendance is General Atomics, a San Diego-based defense contractor known for its Predator drones. The UAE previously purchased some $200 million worth of surveillance-only Predator drones, according to reports.
The model of Predator drone bought by the UAE has a flight time of more than 35 hours and operates at altitudes of 25,000 feet, according to General Atomics.
Last year, Saudi Arabia entered into an arrangement with a Chinese drone manufacturer, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), that will see drones made in the Kingdom. CASC has also sold drones to Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, underlining the appetite for the technology in the region.
The US has so far been reticent to sell drones to anyone but its closest allies, fearing proliferation of the technology.
India has also snapped up non-militarised drones, buying an estimated 22 Sea Guardian drones in late 2017 for a reported $2 billion, according to local media. The drones will be used to monitor the Indian coastline.
In the civilian field, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority showcased its autonomous air taxi at the tech-focused Gitex trade show in October 2017. The nation also is home to ‘The UAE Drones for Good Awards,’ which showcases exemplary work in civilian drone design.
According to the award’s website, the global drone industry will be worth $8-10 billion by 2025, and will be responsible for more than 100,000 jobs.
Consumer drone sales worldwide are growing rapidly, with Business Insider Intelligence forecasting the market will balloon from 13 million units sold in 2018 to 29 million units in 2021.
The Consumer Technology Association reports that 2.4 million personal drones were sold in the US alone in 2016, double the number sold in America in 2015.
Abu Dhabi drone show draws in a global audience
Abu Dhabi drone show draws in a global audience
Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward trend for a third consecutive day this week, gaining 148.18 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 10,893.63 on Tuesday.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR6.05 billion ($1.61 billion), with 144 listed stocks advancing and 107 declining.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also rose by 81.35 points to close at 23,668.29.
The MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 1.71 percent to 1,460.89.
The best-performing stock on the main market was Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co., with its share price advancing 10 percent to SR2.75.
Shares of CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. increased 8.27 percent to SR23.04, while Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. saw its stock climb 6.17 percent to SR50.60.
Conversely, the share price of Naseej International Trading Co. declined 9.90 percent to SR31.48.
On the announcements front, Arabian Drilling Co. said it secured three contract extensions for land rigs with energy giant Saudi Aramco, totaling SR1.4 billion and adding 25 active rig years to its backlog.
In a Tadawul statement, the company said one rig is currently operational, the second will begin operations by the end of January, and the third — currently suspended — is expected to resume operations in 2026.
Since November 2025, Arabian Drilling has secured seven contract extensions amounting to SR3.4 billion, representing 55 committed rig years.
The three contracts have durations of 10 years, 10 years, and five years, respectively.
“Securing a total of SR1.4 billion in new contracts and expanding our backlog by 25 rig-years demonstrates both the trust our clients place in us and our ability to consistently deliver quality and reliability,” said Ghassan Mirdad, CEO of Arabian Drilling, in a statement.
Shares of Arabian Drilling Co. rose 3.15 percent to SR104.70.
Separately, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. said it signed a 36-month contract valued at SR43.35 million with National Water Co. to operate and maintain water networks, pumping stations, wells, reservoirs, and related facilities in Tabuk.
In October, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. announced it had been awarded the contract by NWC.
In a Tadawul statement, the company said the financial impact of the deal began in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The share price of Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. declined 0.49 percent to SR120.70.
