BEDEX 2026
BEDEX 2026 concluded in Brussels, bringing together over 200 exhibitors and international delegations to showcase new defense technologies and strengthen European defense cooperation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ammunition manufacturer Igman closed 2025 with a loss of approximately €7.8 million. The company reduced losses during the second half of the year after a significantly weaker first half. Management indicated that financial performance improved toward the end of the year.
Ukraine
Ukraine has launched a platform that allows international partners to train artificial intelligence models using real battlefield data from the war with Russia. The initiative provides controlled access to millions of annotated combat images and videos collected from drone operations.
Ukraine has launched a platform that allows international partners to train artificial intelligence models using real battlefield data from the war with Russia. The initiative provides controlled access to millions of annotated combat images and videos collected from drone operations.
From Paris to Brussels and Celje to Abu Dhabi, a surge in military spending and geopolitical tension is reshaping the world of defense trade shows.
Global arms imports increased by roughly 10 percent over the past five years, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The United States accounted for nearly half of all weapons exports during the period.
German defense group Rheinmetall has acquired a stake in Croatian robotics and unmanned systems manufacturer DOK-ING. The move expands Rheinmetall’s presence in unmanned ground systems and strengthens cooperation with a specialized robotics developer in South-Eastern Europe.
ZVS Holding, part of CSG, and France’s Eurenco will establish a joint venture to produce modular artillery propellant charges in Slovakia. The €300 million project aims to expand European capacity for key artillery ammunition components.
German defense company Rheinmetall and Croatian robotics specialist DOK-ING have agreed to form a strategic partnership focused on unmanned ground systems. The cooperation will combine Rheinmetall’s defense integration capabilities with DOK-ING’s experience in robotic and autonomous platforms.
Receive curated defense news, expert commentary, and strategic insights from SEE and CEE—covering key markets, industries, and security developments shaping the region.
From Paris to Brussels and Celje to Abu Dhabi, a surge in military spending and geopolitical tension is reshaping the world of defense trade shows.
Ammunition manufacturer Binas in Bugojno has recorded a sharp increase in revenue and profit, reflecting the broader expansion of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry. The company’s income rose significantly in 2025 as international demand for munitions continues to grow.
A Greek Patriot surface-to-air missile system has begun providing air and missile defense coverage for Bulgaria from positions in northern Greece. The deployment follows a request from Sofia and is part of a bilateral arrangement to strengthen regional air defense.
Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić visited the Milan Blagojević–Namenska defense company in Lučani to review current operations and discuss the company’s role in the national defense industry. The meeting focused on business performance, production development, and workforce conditions.
Croatia has officially reintroduced mandatory military conscription, ending a suspension that has been in place since 2008. The new system will require young men to undergo short-term military training while offering civilian service alternatives.
DAF Trucks, Tatra Trucks, and VDL Groep are presenting a new 6×6 military logistics truck at BEDEX 2026 in Brussels. The vehicle combines DAF powertrain components, a Tatra off-road chassis design, and a VDL-developed cargo body.
Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa has secured $14.7 million in Series A funding to scale production and expand into the United States defense market. The company also signed a cooperation agreement with Red River Army Depot to support U.S.-based manufacturing.
Croatian venture capital firm AYMO Ventures has invested in Orqa, a developer and manufacturer of First Person View (FPV) drone systems. The investment marks the first time a Croatian VC has backed the Osijek-based company.
The European Union plans to formalize new security and defense partnerships with Australia, Iceland, and Ghana this week. The agreements are intended to expand the EU’s network of international security cooperation amid rising geopolitical risks.
Global arms imports increased by roughly 10 percent over the past five years, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The United States accounted for nearly half of all weapons exports during the period.
KNDS is positioning itself for a larger share of European defense procurement as governments accelerate military modernization programs. The Franco-German land systems manufacturer expects increased demand across armored vehicles, artillery, and ammunition.
European governments are rebuilding the continent’s defense-industrial base after decades of underinvestment and shrinking production capacity. Rising defense budgets are beginning to translate into expanded manufacturing and long-term procurement plans.
