Image Credit : WAM
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) Coding Challenge has successfully concluded alongside the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX), held under the patronage of His Highness 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.
Staged at UMEX and SimTEX, the challenge brought together UAE nationals to compete in a series of coding, cybersecurity, and drone-based tasks designed to test technical skill, innovation, and problem-solving under pressure.
Delivered through a collaboration between ADNEC Group, the Ministry of Defence, and EDGE Group, the initiative aimed to strengthen national security readiness by developing the next generation of Emirati talent in software development, programming, and cybersecurity.
The MoD Coding Challenge ran hourly throughout the three-day exhibition, with participants completing progressively complex coding exercises. Running in parallel, the Cybersecurity Challenge placed teams in realistic, high-pressure scenarios that mirrored real-world cyber threats and defence operations.
After three days of competition, Team E claimed first place in the Cybersecurity Challenge. The winning team comprised Muaded Mohamed Al Sahili, Hamdan Owais Alderei, and Khalid Khalifa Alderei. Team members highlighted the value of the challenge in sharpening their ability to deploy technical solutions against cyber risks while learning from fellow participants and identifying emerging national talent in the sector.
Second place was secured by Team T, made up of Saeed Turki Alshamsi, Buti Hamed Aljneibi, and Hassan Rashid Alyammi, followed by Team S in third place, comprising Zayed Hamad Almazrouei, Hamad Mohammed Alshamsi, and Hamdan Khamis Alzeyoudi.
The UMEX 2026 Drone Challenge also drew strong participation, with 14 teams competing across multiple levels designed to assess operational competence through advanced missions. Participants programmed drones to complete tasks focused on efficiency, precision, and creative problem-solving.
Team XENOPS secured first place with a completion time of 1 minute and 46 seconds, followed by Team Rubber Ducks at 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Team Ministry of Peace finished third with a time of 2 minutes and 34 seconds.
Prize money across both the Cybersecurity and Drone Challenges reflected the competitive nature of the event, with first-place teams awarded AED 50,000, second place receiving AED 30,000, and third place taking home AED 20,000.
Participants competed using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, creating a professional and highly competitive environment that reflected current industry standards. Beyond competition, the challenges offered hands-on exposure to the latest technologies in software, cybersecurity, and unmanned systems operations.
As a leading global platform for drones, robotics, and autonomous systems, UMEX and SimTEX 2026 once again reinforced their role as key drivers of innovation, talent development, and sector growth in the unmanned systems industry.
