Why it matters
DEFSEC Atlantic is the primary gateway to Canada's East Coast defence procurement ecosystem, offering direct access to Canadian Armed Forces, NATO DIANA representatives, and federal procurement officials at a single venue. The sold-out exhibition floor and a B2B meetings programme expanded by 40% for 2026 signal strong commercial momentum, making it a high-ROI event for SMEs and startups seeking to enter or grow within Canada's $30 billion+ ongoing defence procurement pipeline. Its focus on naval systems, cyber, AI, and aerospace aligns with Canada's commitment to reach 2% GDP defence spending.
About
DEFSEC Atlantic is Canada's second-largest annual aerospace, defence, and security trade show and procurement conference, held at the Halifax Convention Centre. Presented by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA), it brings together OEMs, SMEs, government agencies, and military representatives from across Canada and internationally. The event combines an industry exhibition, a structured B2B/B2G meetings programme, expert panel discussions, and an Academic Day of Connection. Attendance is open to all industry professionals without requiring association membership.
Market intel
Moderate pricinghigh confidence
The 2025 floor plan confirms a strong prime-contractor presence alongside a growing SME cohort, with naval, aerospace, and cyber domains well represented. The exhibition floor for 2026 sold out ahead of schedule following record 2025 demand, and the B2B meetings programme is being expanded by 40%. NATO DIANA participation in 2025 signals growing allied institutional engagement.
Notable exhibitorsLockheed Martin CanadaL3HarrisBAE Systems CanadaThales CanadaBabcock CanadaCAEKongsbergChantier Davie Canada
AI-researched Tue, 25 August 2026. Estimates from public sources. Verify with the organizer.
Topics
MaritimeAirCyberISR & SensorsAI
Who it's for
PrimesSMEsStartupsInstitutions