Doha, 19 Jan. 2026

The 9th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) in 2026, the largest ever hosted by the State of Qatar, has drawn first-time participation from defence delegates worldwide. Among the nations marking their debut are The Philippines and Croatia, each highlighting distinct strategic goals on the exhibition's sidelines.

Speaking exclusively to Qatar Tribune, Philippine Defence Forces official Roy Vincent T. Trinidad shared his perspective on this inaugural visit. He described Doha as "another magic city" and stated that the Philippine Navy's attendance signals a broader intent to explore defence and weapon systems globally, beyond its immediate region.

Trinidad underscored the Middle East's vital importance to Manila, citing the significant Filipino diaspora working in the region. "We are definitely looking at Qatar, the UAE, and other countries here," he noted. While welcoming potential Qatari investment, he clarified that the current focus of the Philippine Department of National Defence is on fostering self-reliance. This strategy, he explained, extends beyond procurement to include developing local capability through partnerships with "like-minded countries," emphasizing technology sharing, joint production, and ventures with Filipino companies to bolster the national economy.

On a personal note, Trinidad, for whom this is a first visit to Qatar, expressed a desire for deeper engagements that strengthen bilateral ties—a connection he said is already personified by the many Filipinos living and working in the country.

Also participating for the first time was Lt Gen (Retd) Mate Paden, Senior Consultant for Business Development at Croatia's Olimp Defence Group. He presented the company's advanced fast interceptor vessel, emphasizing that Olimp is a fully private enterprise making its DIMDEX debut.

General Paja detailed that the interceptor is an upgraded model, with about fifteen already in service domestically and in several countries abroad. He highlighted its exceptional performance, citing a top speed of 75 knots and the unique ability to execute a 180-degree turn at 40 knots. The vessel is the result of years of development, including computational fluid dynamics analysis and three years of sea trials, with its hull—developed between 2008 and 2011—being a cornerstone of the company's investment.

The vessel features in-house Croatian technology and design, including advanced, lightweight armour developed with a Slovenian partner. This armour provides Level 1 protection with only 800-900 kilograms, a fraction of the weight of conventional materials. The boat can also be equipped with remote weapon stations and other armaments as needed.

Regarding market presence, Gen. Paden noted customers such as Croatian and UAE Special Forces, the Croatian Coast Guard, and EU Border Protection agencies in the Adriatic Sea.

While DIMDEX 2026 marks Olimp's first direct outreach in the region, the company has already established a pathway into the Qatari market. Gen. Paden confirmed that Olimp, in partnership with the Qatari company Milaha, is participating in a tender for the Qatari Coast Guard. A Memorandum of Understanding between the two firms is slated to be signed after the exhibition, as Milaha coordinates several such signings separately.