Croatia Advances Defence Industry Outreach at DIMDEX 2026 in Qatar
Croatian defence firms and government officials have highlighted domestic unmanned systems and explored industrial cooperation at DIMDEX 2026 in Doha. A memorandum with a Qatari defence group aims to localise production of Croatian drone technology in the Gulf.
Croatia has stepped up its defence industry engagement at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX 2026), leveraging the event to showcase national capabilities and cultivate new strategic partnerships.
Senior Croatian defence representatives attended DIMDEX 2026 — held from 19 to 22 January in Doha under the theme A Global Hub for Defence Innovations — where national technology providers and defence firms presented products and discussed cooperation with regional partners and global industry players.
A notable development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between a Croatian drone technology developer and Barzan Holdings, a leading Qatari defence and security company. The agreement sets out a mutual intent to explore collaboration focused on the localised production of Croatian unmanned aerial systems in Qatar, expanding the industrial footprint of Croatian technology in the Middle East.
Croatian firms including Olimp Defense Group and Shadow Nautics were also present at the exhibition, contributing to a broader national presence aimed at underscoring the diversity and export potential of Croatia’s defence technology sector.
Domestic unmanned systems, particularly first-person-view (FPV) drone platforms, have emerged as one of Croatia’s competitive niches within the wider European defence industry context, reflecting broader investment and capability growth in unmanned and robotics fields.
DIMDEX 2026 continues to position itself as a focal point for defence diplomacy, technology exchange, and industrial cooperation across land, air, and maritime domains. Events like the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference and visiting warships display augment opportunities for government and industry dialogue on maritime and security challenges.
