Skip to content
MIKES
North AmericaTrade shows & exhibitions

6–8 Oct 2026

DEFSEC Atlantic

Halifax Convention Centre · Halifax, Canada

DEFSEC Atlantic venue
Dates
Tue, 6 October 2026 – Thu, 8 October 2026
Venue
Halifax Convention Centre
Location
Halifax, Canada
Organizer
Nova Scotia International Air Show Association (NSIASA)
Cost
paid
Scale
regional
Recurrence
annual
Format
On-site

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 exhibitors
Lockheed 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

Related events

Compare these

Security Exhibition & Conference

Sydney / Australia

As the premier security marketplace in the Asia-Pacific region, this event is the primary venue for global security suppliers to launch products into the Australian market and engage directly with integrators, consultants, government buyers, and critical-infrastructure end users. The co-location with Integrate and Fire Security Expo expands the addressable buyer pool to ~14,500 professionals across converging physical, cyber, fire, and AV sectors. For SMEs and startups, it is the most cost-efficient route to the Australian security procurement community, with free visitor registration and a sold-out floor plan signalling strong buyer intent.

Trade shows & exhibitionsAustralia & OceaniaMajor (2,000–10,000)Mid budgetPrimesSMEs+2
freeSee details

China (Xi'an) Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Industry Expo & Defense Science and Technology Industry Expo

Xi'an / China

Xi'an hosts China's densest concentration of state-owned defense primes and research institutes, making this expo one of the few accessible venues in western China where suppliers can engage directly with aerospace, ordnance, and defense-electronics procurement chains. For SMEs and dual-use technology firms, the military-civil integration forums and project roadshow sessions provide structured pathways into PLA and state-enterprise supply chains. The event's scale — targeting 50,000+ professional visitors and 1,500+ exhibitors — and its government guidance from provincial defense-industry authorities signal genuine procurement and partnership intent rather than a purely promotional showcase.

Trade shows & exhibitionsChinaGlobal (10,000+)Mid budgetPrimesSMEs+1
freeSee details

Международный салон средств обеспечения безопасности «Комплексная безопасность»

Kazan / Russia

As the flagship procurement and technology showcase of EMERCOM of Russia, the salon is the primary venue where Russian federal and regional authorities, state enterprises, and international emergency services evaluate and procure fire-rescue equipment, critical-infrastructure protection systems, and dual-use safety technologies. The 2026 edition's new regional rotation format and co-organisation with the Republic of Tatarstan opens access to Volga Federal District procurement networks and regional government buyers. For SMEs and startups in fire-tech, UAS, robotics, and CBRN protection, it is the most direct route to state customers and to international delegations from CIS, BRICS+, and partner countries.

Trade shows & exhibitionsRussiaMajor (2,000–10,000)Mid budgetPrimesSMEs+1
freeSee details