SAHA 2026
The SAHA 2026 exhibition in Istanbul presented a broad range of domestically developed defense technologies, underlining Türkiye’s ongoing industrial expansion. The event gathered local manufacturers, international delegations, and procurement stakeholders.
Romania
Turkish defense company Otokar has signed an agreement to acquire a Romanian manufacturer, aiming to expand armored vehicle production capacity within NATO markets. The move supports regional industrial integration and supply chain resilience.
Lithuania
Lithuania has signed a new agreement with Lockheed Martin to deepen defense-industrial cooperation. The deal focuses on long-term collaboration, including sustainment and capability development. It reflects Vilnius’ continued alignment with U.S. defense suppliers and NATO requirements.
Belgium is seeking to attract greater investment from defense companies to strengthen its industrial base. The initiative aims to expand production capacity and reduce reliance on external suppliers. The move reflects wider European efforts to scale defense manufacturing.
Rheinmetall has announced a significant new contract in the unmanned systems segment, marking an expansion of its activities in the drone market. The agreement underscores growing demand for military unmanned capabilities across Europe.
UNIS Ginex dismissed Executive Director Demir Imamović on 16 April after a tenure marked by a worker strike, lost US orders, and a sharp revenue drop, part of a broader push to replace political appointees across BiH's defense industry.
Several Bulgarian companies are participating in projects backed by more than €300 million in funding from the European Defence Fund. The initiatives focus on cyber defense, space technologies, and artificial intelligence.
A Slovenian defense industry event focused on translating strategic objectives into concrete industrial capabilities. Stakeholders discussed procurement alignment, industrial bottlenecks, and integration into European supply chains.
Defense exhibition infrastructure in the Western Balkans is expanding alongside rising budgets and industrial output. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s planned 2026 expo marks a significant addition to a landscape long dominated by Serbia. The shift indicates a more distributed regional defense ecosystem.
Daily defense news, analysis and industry intelligence from Central and Eastern Europe and Southeast Europe.
Hungary has received two additional JAS 39 Gripen C fighter aircraft from Saab as part of a 2024 contract expansion. The delivery increases the country’s operational fleet and supports ongoing air policing and NATO commitments. Further deliveries are expected under the agreement.
Romania is advancing a series of defense procurement projects valued at €8.3 billion under the SAFE framework. The initiative targets capability upgrades across multiple domains. The move reflects Bucharest’s continued alignment with NATO requirements and regional security priorities.
NATO’s DIANA initiative held its fourth onsite program in Tallinn, bringing together startups, mentors, and defense stakeholders. The event focused on operational testing through wargaming and structured feedback for emerging technologies.
DOK-ING and Dynamit Nobel Defence have presented a combined unmanned solution for rapid deployment of anti-tank minefields. The system integrates the MV-8 KOMODO platform with the SKORPION2 scatterable mine system.
A demonstration at the Theresian Military Forum 2026 in Vienna will focus on the role of immersive technologies in officer training. The presentation will examine how simulation-based environments can support decision-making under operational pressure.
Poland has formalized plans to produce South Korean K2 main battle tanks domestically, expanding its industrial role in the program. The agreement marks a step toward localized manufacturing and long-term sustainment capacity.
Belgium is seeking to attract greater investment from defense companies to strengthen its industrial base. The initiative aims to expand production capacity and reduce reliance on external suppliers. The move reflects wider European efforts to scale defense manufacturing.
European governments and industry are increasingly engaging with Ukraine’s battlefield-developed technologies. Wartime conditions continue to limit large-scale industrial cooperation and export pathways. The trend highlights Ukraine’s growing role as a source of operational innovation in defense.
Slovakia has taken delivery of the Barak MX air defense system as part of its effort to modernize ground-based air defense. The system is expected to strengthen protection against a range of aerial threats.
Rheinmetall has announced a significant new contract in the unmanned systems segment, marking an expansion of its activities in the drone market. The agreement underscores growing demand for military unmanned capabilities across Europe.
MSM Group will participate in IDEB 2026 in Bratislava, emphasizing domestic industrial capabilities. The company plans to present its portfolio of ammunition and defense systems. The event is expected to serve as a platform for regional and NATO-aligned cooperation.
Organizers of SAHA Expo 2026 plan to allocate event revenues toward the establishment of dedicated drone development centers. The initiative is intended to support Türkiye’s expanding unmanned systems sector. The move reflects a broader effort to strengthen domestic defense-industrial capabilities.
