Defence events in 2027

With over 44,000 trade visitors and 1,180+ exhibitors from 56 countries at the 2026 edition, Intersec Global is the single largest commercial gateway to the fast-growing MENA security and safety market, projected to reach USD 150.5 bn by 2030. Some 83% of visitors are involved in purchasing or procurement decisions, and 50% attend with active buying intent, making it a high-conversion environment for both primes and SMEs seeking regional distribution or government contracts. The event's direct backing from Dubai Civil Defence, SIRA, and the UAE Cyber Security Council gives exhibitors rare face-time with the regulators and procurement authorities that shape regional standards and tenders.

SUS Expo is one of the few dedicated unmanned-systems platforms in the Gulf with a direct link to Saudi procurement and Vision 2030 localisation programmes, making it a high-value venue for UAS, autonomy, and ISR suppliers seeking access to Saudi government and defence buyers. The reported $1 billion deals target and 500+ exhibitor scale signal serious commercial intent, giving SMEs and startups a rare opportunity to engage Saudi defence decision-makers and prime contractors in a single venue. Its Riyadh location places it at the heart of the Kingdom's defence industrial build-up, alongside the biennial World Defense Show ecosystem.

As the world's largest cyber-focused B2B gathering outside the US, Cybertech Global TLV offers unmatched access to Israeli cyber innovation, government procurement decision-makers, and international delegations from over 90 countries — making it a critical deal-making and market-entry venue for defence and dual-use cyber suppliers. The event's deep integration with Israel's National Cyber Directorate and multiple government ministries gives exhibitors direct exposure to national-level buyers and policy shapers. For SMEs and startups, the dedicated Startup Pavilion and pre-scheduled B2B meeting system provide structured pathways to investors, primes, and government customers in a single venue.

SecD-Day has rapidly become the largest defence and security exhibition ever held in Finland and a key Nordic meeting point, offering direct access to Finnish and international primes, authorities and foreign delegations following Finland's NATO accession. For SMEs and startups it provides a comparatively affordable route to reach national armaments buyers, strategic partners like Patria and Millog, and international primes in a growing Northern European defence market.

ДРОНТЕХ is the primary procurement and partnership gateway for Russia's fast-growing UAS and counter-drone market, attracting decision-makers from defence-adjacent sectors including security agencies, energy, logistics and agriculture. For SMEs and startups developing UAS components, counter-drone systems or AI autonomy software, it offers direct access to state customers and industrial primes in a single two-day window. The event's strong government patronage and co-location with НАИС give exhibitors rare visibility with federal regulators and national-project stakeholders.

Less a sales event, more a strategic signal-reading event. Tracks where transatlantic and EU security priorities (and therefore future budgets) are heading. Invite-only, but the surrounding fringe is open networking.

ТБ Форум — ведущая в России площадка прямого диалога между поставщиками технологий безопасности и крупнейшими корпоративными и государственными заказчиками, формирующими до 80% отраслевых бюджетов. Для SME и стартапов в сфере кибербезопасности, физической защиты и защиты от БПЛА это ключевая точка входа к ЛПР из нефтегаза, ТЭК, транспорта, финансов и госсектора. Присутствие ФСТЭК России с официальной конференцией делает форум обязательным для компаний, работающих с КИИ и сертификацией СЗИ.

The entry point to Gulf defence budgets and offset programs. High-value procurement decisions are made here; relationship-building and local partner introductions matter more than booth size.

Avalon is the Indo-Pacific's premier aerospace and defence marketplace, drawing 900+ exhibitors and 60,000+ trade visitors including senior procurement decision-makers from the Australian Department of Defence, allied air forces, and major primes — making it the region's highest-density opportunity for contract leads and capability showcasing. For SMEs and startups, dedicated state government pavilions (Victoria, NSW, California, and others) provide subsidised floor space and direct access to prime contractors and international buyers. The co-located Chief of Air Force Symposium, which in 2025 gathered 20 Chiefs of Air Force from around the world, elevates the event's strategic and diplomatic significance well beyond a standard trade show.

Poland is a frontline NATO state rapidly scaling its drone procurement and C-UAS capabilities, making Warsaw an increasingly strategic market for UAS suppliers targeting defence and dual-use contracts in Central and Eastern Europe. Co-location with the broader Warsaw Security & Defence Expo block gives exhibitors direct access to uniformed services, government procurement representatives, and defence-adjacent buyers in a single venue. For SMEs and startups, the event's relatively low entry costs and regional profile offer a cost-efficient route to the Polish and wider CEE market before competing at larger global shows.

As Germany's first fully integrated defence exhibition, launched amid the Zeitenwende and a defence budget projected to reach EUR 180 billion by 2030, DSEI Germany offers suppliers direct access to the German MoD, Bundeswehr, European procurement authorities and international delegations in a single venue. A dedicated Newcomer Zone for German SMEs and start-ups plus regional and international pavilions make it a strategic market-entry platform for smaller and non-German firms seeking early positioning in a rapidly expanding market. Exhibiting at the inaugural edition allows companies to establish an early foothold before the show scales further.

Soldier modernisation programs are recurring and broad. A focused venue for firms in wearables, power, optics and edge compute to reach program offices.

The event has emerged as a central European meeting point for the dual-use autonomy sector, connecting primes, SMEs and startups with government, military and academic decision-makers. Its explicit dual-use and defence focus—featuring companies like Rheinmetall and Quantum Systems alongside a dedicated startup zone—gives suppliers direct access to procurement-relevant audiences and live demonstration opportunities. For SMEs and startups it offers a lower-cost route into defence and civil autonomy markets, partnerships and investor exposure.

COLOMBIAMAR is the single most important gateway for defence and dual-use maritime suppliers seeking access to the Colombian Navy's active frigate and patrol-vessel procurement programmes, as well as broader Latin American naval markets. The co-location of the CIDIN congress with the trade floor and a formal business matchmaking session compresses the sales cycle, giving SMEs and startups direct access to decision-makers from international naval delegations. With participants from over 40 countries in recent editions, it offers unmatched regional reach for companies targeting South American and Caribbean naval modernisation budgets.

DEFSEC West is the only dedicated defence, security, and aerospace trade show in Western Canada, filling a long-recognised gap for SMEs and primes seeking Canadian content supply chain partners in the region. The Government of Canada participates with a whole-of-government procurement presence, making it a direct access point for companies navigating Canadian defence contracting. With two-thirds of 2027 space already sold off the back of a strong inaugural edition, it is rapidly becoming a must-attend event for any company targeting the Canadian defence market.

The premiere 2026 edition drew over 25,000 visitors and 360+ exhibitors, signalling strong demand for a Central-and-Eastern-European security and defence platform at a time of heightened Polish defence spending. Its integrated drone, rescue and firearms tracks plus a substantive conference give SMEs and startups direct access to uniformed services, public administration and R&D institutions such as Łukasiewicz. Ministry of National Defence patronage and attendance by senior decision-makers make it a relevant procurement and networking venue for dual-use suppliers.

Photonics technologies are deeply dual-use: laser rangefinders, UAV-detection systems, precision optics, and optoelectronic sensors displayed here feed directly into Russian defence procurement and state contracts. The show provides direct access to heads of government agencies and state corporations such as Rostec/Shvabe and Rosatom, making it a key venue for suppliers seeking state orders in the Russian defence-industrial base. For SMEs and startups in photonics, it is the primary domestic platform to demonstrate products, find partners, and enter the Russian and CIS market.

SITDEF is the primary gateway for defence and dual-use suppliers seeking access to Peruvian and broader Latin American procurement decision-makers, including official delegations, purchasing managers, and armed-forces representatives from across the continent. Its biennial cycle and government-backed format make it the region's most credible platform for advancing re-equipment and modernisation contracts. For SMEs and startups, national-pavilion participation options and a growing focus on cybersecurity and AI lower the barrier to entry into a strategically important emerging market.

Primary venue for the US Navy and maritime industrial base. Critical for firms in shipbuilding, autonomous maritime systems and naval C2.

SOFINS is unique in Europe as a focused meeting point between the special-forces community and industry, giving suppliers direct access to operators, buyers and dozens of foreign delegations. Its live-testing format and roughly 600 pre-arranged business meetings let SMEs and startups demonstrate niche innovations directly to decision-makers, shortening the path to procurement. For deeptech and dual-use firms, the SOFLAB competition and selection process offer high-value exposure to a curated, high-intent audience.

Its proximity to the EU institutions and NATO gives suppliers direct access to European procurement decision-makers, national armament directors and official delegations in one location. BEDEX explicitly courts SMEs and startups with a start-up village, pitch sessions and investor access, and the inaugural edition already saw on-site contract signings. For firms targeting Belgium's rearmament and wider EU strategic-autonomy spending, it is an emerging gateway market.

ExpoElectronica is the primary procurement and partnership gateway for electronic component base (EKB), microelectronics, and embedded systems within Russia and the EAEU — sectors that are central to both civilian manufacturing and defence-industrial programmes under Russia's technological sovereignty agenda. The exhibition draws direct participation from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and state-owned enterprises, making it the key venue for suppliers seeking access to Russian defence-adjacent electronics buyers. Its dual-use character — covering semiconductors, sensors, power electronics, and robotics — means it is closely monitored by Western export-control authorities as a channel through which sanctioned components reach Russia's military-industrial complex.

LAAD is the premier gateway to Latin America's defence procurement ecosystem, offering direct access to Brazilian Armed Forces and Public Security buyers who hold active acquisition mandates backed by multi-billion-real national defence investment plans. For SMEs and international primes alike, the structured delegation programme — with 1,200+ pre-scheduled meetings in 2025 — provides a uniquely efficient route to decision-makers across the region. No comparable event in Latin America matches its scale, institutional backing, or concentration of qualified military and government buyers.

IQDEX is the primary gateway for international defence suppliers seeking direct access to Iraqi procurement decision-makers and the broader MENA security market, with the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior among the key institutional buyers present. For SMEs and regional primes, it offers a relatively accessible entry point into a market undergoing active defence modernisation, with lower competitive density than larger Gulf shows. The event's government patronage at Prime Minister level and formal ministry backing signal genuine procurement intent, making it a high-value business development venue for land systems, UAS, cyber, and ISR vendors.