AI-enabled military technologies shine at defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi

AI-powered military equipment took center stage at the 2025 International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) and the Naval Defense and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), which concluded on Friday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Around 1,560 defense companies from 65 countries participated in the five-day event to showcase their latest defense technologies and solutions, attracting more than 150,000 visitor trips, with both counts of participants and visitors setting records for the biennial event.

Exhibitors presented a diverse range of military equipment featuring cutting-edge AI applications, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern defense systems.

One standout exhibit showcased an unmanned mine-clearing vehicle equipped with AI sensors. The vehicle features ultra-wideband ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and is powered by a machine-learning system, enabling it to efficiently detect and differentiate between landmines and other objects.

"The advantage of the AI is that a human can go with a GPR to the minefield, but it will be very difficult for him or her to differentiate if -- we call it hyperbolic signatures -- belong to a human or to something else. That's when the machine learning comes in, and here is where the machine learning can differentiate if it belongs to a land mine. Of course, we have to train the system before," said Santiago Morales, exhibitor of the unmanned mine-clearing vehicle.

Ali Khadim Al-Ghaithi, spokesman for the exhibition, also highlighted the more extensive use of AI technologies in modern defense systems.

"Compared with the previous edition, this year's exhibition showcased significant advancements in AI technologies, particularly in autonomous systems, unmanned ground vehicles, and drones," said the spokesman.

Experts pointed out that AI-powered systems can rapidly analyze battlefield data to enable quicker target recognition, tactical planning, and real-time decision-making, effectively enhancing situational awareness and helping to reduce casualties.

Moreover, the integration of autonomous combat systems with intelligent command platforms allows for more flexible and precise tactical operations on the battlefield.

As a key indicator of trends in the global defense sector, this year's IDEX and NAVDEX event underscored the accelerating shift toward AI-driven, intelligent, and unmanned defense systems. AI-powered combat technologies are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the defense strategies of countries in the years to come.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a statement on Saturday, saying that the security alert released by the U.S. Department of State regarding Venezuela is based on false claims that do not exist and is intended to create a perception of risk that is not real.

According to the statement posted on Gil's official X account, Venezuela is currently in a state of absolute calm, peace and stability.

All residential areas, transportation routes, checkpoints and security facilities in the country are functioning normally, and all armed forces nationwide are under the government's control.

The statement came after the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs on Saturday warned that as international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela "should leave the country immediately."