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Ukrainian Combat-Tested Drones and Air Defense Systems Spotlighted at UMEX 2026
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Ukrainian defense manufacturers drew significant international attention at UMEX 2026, the world’s largest exhibition of unmanned and autonomous systems, held in Abu Dhabi, according to a Defense Express report on January 27.
Ukrainian companies presented their technologies under the NAUDI umbrella, showcasing drones and command-and-control solutions developed through real combat experience during the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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Delegations from India, the UAE, and Egypt expressed interest in Ukrainian air defense systems and their integration, citing Ukraine’s unique expertise in countering complex, combined aerial attacks.
Particular attention was paid to Ukrainian interceptor drones, a relatively new and low-cost air defense solution shaped by battlefield necessity. Air forces from Japan and the Philippines showed interest in these systems, reflecting growing concern over drone and loitering munition threats in the Indo-Pacific region, Defense Express reported.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense had previously launched an innovative initiative to create interceptor drones, a project that has since made remarkable progress said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Minister of Defense.
“At the time, no one believed in it,” Fedorov explained, “but now, by this month, 40,000 interceptors are expected to be delivered to the military.”
Among the specific products highlighted at UMEX 2026 were the Bullet interceptor drone by “General Chereshnia,” designed to counter Shahed-type drones; reconnaissance UAVs by Ukrspecsystems; and FPV drones developed by Ukrainian Armor using modified mortar rounds.
Slovenia showed interest in Ukrainian UAVs not only for military use but also for law enforcement, while Poland was presented with live demonstrations of real-time control of unmanned ground vehicles and strike drones, Defense Express wrote.
The UAE also explored the potential maritime use of Ukrspecsystems’ PD-2 VTOL drone, capable of vertical takeoff and landing from ships. In parallel, Ukrainian naval drones attracted attention from the Philippines, where officials are seeking cost-effective solutions amid ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea.
Talks with a British delegation focused on deepening cooperation under a long-term defense partnership and expanding joint production. Ukrspecsystems has already launched manufacturing operations in the UK, underscoring Ukraine’s growing integration into Western defense supply chains, according to Defense Express.
UMEX 2026 demonstrated that Ukraine is now a major exporter of combat-proven unmanned systems and operational know-how, with the strongest interest today centered on interceptor drones as an innovative and affordable air defense solution.
Previously, it was reported that Ukrainian forces used drone interceptors to shoot down 64 Shahed-type attack drones in one night, marking one of the highest confirmed single-day figures for this defensive tactic since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
