UVID DroneTech 2026, the 14th International Conference on Unmanned Systems, takes place Thursday, November 12 at Expo Tel Aviv, as part of a UVID Week running November 10 to 15. Confirmed participants include Israel Aerospace Industries, XTEND, ParaZero Technologies, TSG and Mobilicom, with a Startup Pavilion aimed at investors and emerging Israeli companies.
What is UVID DroneTech 2026?
UVID DroneTech is Israel's flagship conference and exhibition for unmanned and autonomous systems (כטב"מים ורחפנים), covering civil, security and defense uses. The event has run since 2012 and is chaired by founder Alon Unger, with Amir Rapaport, founder and editor-in-chief of Israel Defense, co-leading the conference program. This year's edition is organized in collaboration with Israel Defense, AUVSI and TradeIL.
The main conference and exhibition is on November 12 at Expo Tel Aviv (אקספו תל אביב), Pavilion 2. Around it, UVID Week adds demonstrations and side events. A Latvian trade delegation has described a dual-use UAV conference with B2B matchmaking on November 11 and a Demo Day in Yeruham on November 15.
The audience is broad by design: defense and security companies, technology developers, startups, investors, government officials, academics and law enforcement representatives. That mix is what makes the day useful for business readers and not only for defense specialists.
Which companies are confirmed to take part?
Organizers have named Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Omnisys, Lockheed Martin, Aero Sentinel, ParaZero Technologies, XTEND, TSG, Rapid Wings and ASIO, alongside dozens of other companies from the unmanned-systems industry. Separate company announcements add more names to the floor.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): Eitan Arad, UAV Strategy Manager in the Military Aircraft Division, is scheduled to review the company's wartime operations, from routine operational support to technology developed under fire. For how IAI compares with Elbit and Rafael abroad, see Olam's comparison of Israeli defense companies' global expansion.
- Mobilicom: The Nasdaq-listed provider of cybersecure solutions for drones and robotics (ticker MOB) will be at Booth F41 and plans the Israeli debut of its SwarmiX mesh networking system with a live demonstration. Udi Altshuler, General Manager of Mobilicom Israel, speaks on keeping pace in multi-platform operations, including manned-unmanned teaming, loitering munition fleets and counter-UAS interceptor networks.
- Neuronic Systems: The company says it will present drone autonomy, edge video analytics and multi-robot command and control in Pavilion 2.
- XTEND, ParaZero Technologies, TSG, Rapid Wings and ASIO: All named by organizers among the confirmed participants.
Lockheed Martin is on the same list, a reminder that UVID is an international meeting point and not only a showcase for Israeli firms.
Why are XTEND and ParaZero the pair to watch?
Two of the confirmed names already work together. On March 26, 2026, ParaZero Technologies and XTEND announced a partnership to integrate ParaZero's DefendAir net-launching system onto XTEND's Scorpio 1000 drone platform, aimed at autonomous interception of hostile drones. Net capture is designed to limit collateral damage in counter-drone operations, and the companies said they plan to develop and demonstrate the joint solution for defense forces and homeland security organizations.
The two companies sit at different points in the market. ParaZero, founded in 2014 and based in Kfar Saba, is listed on Nasdaq (PRZO) and develops safety and defense systems for aerial platforms, including SafeAir parachute recovery, DefendAir counter-drone and DropAir aerial delivery products. XTEND, founded in 2018, builds AI-powered robotics for defense and security and says it has deployed more than 10,000 systems in over 30 countries.
XTEND also made financial headlines in February 2026, when it announced a share merger with JFB Construction Holdings that would take it public on Nasdaq at a $1.5 billion valuation, with the combined company to be renamed XTEND AI Robotics. The deal was expected to close by mid-2026, so check the current listing status before citing it. Details of the announcements are in The Jerusalem Post's report on the merger and Israel Defense's coverage of the ParaZero partnership.
What topics will shape the conversation?
The program centers on the move from remotely operated platforms to fully autonomous systems, along with swarms, counter-UAS technologies, cybersecurity and dual-use technology. Civil applications are also on the agenda, including logistics, agriculture, healthcare, emergency response and environmental monitoring. Land and maritime unmanned systems appear next to aerial platforms.
The morning session focuses on the strategic side of the unmanned era. The speaker list brings together senior defense establishment officials, IDF commanders, defense industry executives and startups, drawing on lessons from recent high-intensity conflicts in Israel and abroad. The conference closes with sessions on legal and ethical dilemmas and on command insights from the field.
Why does UVID matter for Israeli business?
For Israeli companies, UVID is a rare room where a defense prime, a listed mid-cap and a startup can share the same schedule. Four business signals stand out this year:
- Dual-use is the commercial bridge. Technology proven in defense is being pitched for logistics, agriculture and emergency services, which widens the customer base beyond ministries.
- Counter-drone is a growth lane. The ParaZero and XTEND integration and the interceptor networks on Mobilicom's agenda show where product development is concentrated.
- Secure communications are becoming a product category. Mesh networking, cybersecurity and fleet control are moving from background infrastructure to headline features.
- Capital markets are part of the story. Several participants are Nasdaq-listed or heading there, and the Startup Pavilion is built to connect early-stage companies with stakeholders and investors.
Readers following the sector should also watch for announcements timed to the event, since exhibitors often use UVID Week to unveil products, partnerships and orders.
What should visitors know before going?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main event | Thursday, November 12, 2026 |
| Venue | Expo Tel Aviv, Pavilion 2 |
| UVID Week | November 10 to 15, 2026 |
| Side events reported | Dual-use UAV conference and B2B matchmaking (Nov 11), Demo Day in Yeruham (Nov 15) |
| Startup access | Startup Pavilion for emerging companies to meet stakeholders and investors |
| Registration | Through the organizers; confirm session times and access rules before travelling |
Programs and exhibitor lists can change close to the date, so check the organizers' latest schedule. Sources for this preview include Israel Defense's conference preview and Mobilicom's announcement.
Related Olam coverage
- SPYDER Air Defense Customers: Which Countries Buy It
- Israeli Defense Companies' Global Expansion: Elbit, IAI and Rafael Compared
- Cyber Week 2026: Tel Aviv University, Nov 9-12 Preview
- Arms Restrictions on Israel: Where 8 Countries Stand Now
Frequently asked questions
When is UVID DroneTech 2026?
The main conference and exhibition is on Thursday, November 12, 2026. UVID Week runs from November 10 to 15.
Where is UVID DroneTech 2026 held?
At Expo Tel Aviv, Israel, in Pavilion 2.
Who organizes UVID DroneTech?
The event is led by founder and chairman Alon Unger and organized in collaboration with Israel Defense, AUVSI and TradeIL.
Which Israeli companies are taking part?
Confirmed names include Israel Aerospace Industries, XTEND, ParaZero Technologies, TSG, Rapid Wings and ASIO, plus Mobilicom and Neuronic Systems through their own announcements.
What is the ParaZero and XTEND partnership?
Announced March 26, 2026, it integrates ParaZero's DefendAir net-launching system with XTEND's Scorpio 1000 drone for autonomous drone interception.
Is there a place for startups?
Yes. A Startup Pavilion lets emerging companies present their technologies to industry stakeholders and investors.
Is UVID only about defense?
No. The program also covers civil and commercial uses such as logistics, agriculture, healthcare, emergency response and environmental monitoring.
How we report: Olam stories draw on public filings, company disclosures and named sources, checked by our editors. Read our methodology · Corrections
