Security Firms Showcase Drones and AI at Doha Milipol Exhibition

Security companies from 33 countries convened in Doha this week for the three-day Milipol Qatar exhibition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, where vendors displayed drones, robots and AI systems as Qatar reviewed its defenses following the Iran war.

The event featured around 280 participating companies, about 70% of which came from outside Qatar, and covered equipment for policing, emergency response and industrial safety alongside discussions on cybersecurity and protection of essential services.

West Bay Petroleum general manager Alexandros Lakatamitis highlighted civilian and industrial uses for drones, including searching large areas for missing people by analysing flight photographs and performing industrial inspections with gas-detection equipment to investigate suspected leaks without sending personnel into danger.

The exhibition coincided with the second Doha International Conference on AI & Security, which included sessions on responsible AI use, autonomous systems and critical infrastructure protection. A cybersecurity seminar addressed keeping essential services operating during attacks, with Khalid Al Nasr of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency calling for cybersecurity to be integrated into disaster recovery and crisis management plans with clear responsibilities.

During the week of security discussions, Qatar’s Defence Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the country was drawing lessons from the Iran war to improve protection against ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, and outlined plans for a local defence production hub and closer cooperation with partners.

The exhibition also saw fresh international agreements, including a cooperation plan between Qatar and France covering 2027–2030 aimed at strengthening coordination and exchanges of expertise in homeland security and civil protection. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani launched the sixth Watan exercise during a visit to Milipol, an exercise that brings together security, military and civilian agencies to rehearse emergency responses.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

Milipol Qatar functioned as a focal point for governments and industry to assess tested security solutions and consider their applicability at home, reflecting heightened attention to defence and civil protection amid regional conflict. The parallel AI and cybersecurity discussions underscored a shift toward integrating autonomous systems and resilience planning into national emergency and critical infrastructure strategies.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• The Milipol Qatar exhibition ran for three days at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and included participants from 33 countries.
• Approximately 280 companies exhibited, with about 70% of them from outside Qatar.
• Exhibits highlighted drones, robots and AI systems for policing, emergency response and industrial safety.
• Discussions at the event addressed responsible AI, autonomous systems and protection of critical infrastructure.
• Qatar and France signed a cooperation plan for 2027–2030 focused on homeland security and civil protection.