Registered DIMDEX participants will get a chance to visit international naval warships berthed at Hamad Port during the four days of the event from January 19 to 22, 2026. Pictures by Hana Ramadan / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is set to witness an impressive display of naval power and maritime cooperation over the next four days as eight visiting international warships have berthed at the Hamad Port ahead of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026.
The arrival of the vessels marks the formal start of the naval segment of DIMDEX, one of the region’s leading defence and security exhibitions, taking place from today until January 22 under the patronage of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces.
Visiting warships from France, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, and Saudi Arabia have been welcomed at the port alongside Qatari warship.
Registered DIMDEX participants will get a chance to visit international naval warships berthed at Hamad Port during the four days of the event from January 19 to 22, 2026. #Qatar #DIMDEX2026 #HamadPort pic.twitter.com/z5veusoXwd
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) January 18, 2026
They were received by Warships Logistics Director Major (Sea) Abdulrahman Yousuf Al-Malki in the presence of several accredited local and international media representatives.
The Qatar Amiri Naval Forces participated in the event with Al Fulk, their advanced amphibious vessel and the largest of its kind in the Gulf. Al Fulk is a modern strategic transport and support ship.
The participating ships, representing a wide range of friendly and partner nations, are expected to take part in operational demonstrations, port visits and high-level naval engagements during the exhibition.
Their presence underscores the growing importance of naval security in safeguarding international shipping lanes, energy supplies and critical maritime infrastructure in the Gulf and beyond.
Senior officials from the Qatar Armed Forces said the participation of foreign navies reflects the strong defence partnerships Qatar has built over the years and its commitment to promoting collective security and stability in regional and international waters.
During the four-day event, members of the visiting warship crews will also participate in a special sports tournament designed to strengthen camaraderie and encourage friendly competition, with medals presented to the winning teams at the closing ceremony.
Public access to Hamad Port to visit the warships will be available from January 20 to 22 only, and visitors must pre-register online on www.dimdex.com and collect their DIMDEX 2026 badges from the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in order to gain entry to the port.
The naval display remains one of the exhibition’s key highlights, offering a live demonstration of the capabilities showcased inside the exhibition halls, from advanced weapon systems and sensors to command-and-control solutions and autonomous maritime platforms.
As the frigates and vessels line the harbour, they stand as a powerful symbol of international cooperation, technological advancement and shared responsibility for securing the world’s seas. The presence of these warships reinforces Doha’s status as a global hub for defence dialogue and a key player in shaping the future of maritime security.
