AUSA 2026 Opens in Washington as Global Defense Industry Gathers for U.S. Army’s Largest Exhibition

AdriaDefense is on the ground in Washington as AUSA 2026 brings together military leaders, defense manufacturers and international delegations, with autonomous systems, electronic warfare and U.S. Army modernization among the central themes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition opens Monday, October 12, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, bringing together senior military officials, defense industry executives and international delegations for three days of exhibitions, policy discussions and technology demonstrations.

Running through October 14, AUSA 2026 features more than 750 exhibits across five convention halls, making it one of the largest gatherings of land warfare technology and defense industry representatives worldwide. This year’s event takes place as the U.S. Army accelerates efforts to modernize its forces, shorten procurement cycles and integrate capabilities shaped by lessons from contemporary conflicts.

Under the theme “America’s Army: The Foundation of the Joint Force,” the program includes addresses from senior Army leadership and discussions covering autonomous warfare, long-range precision fires, military readiness and defense industrial capacity. Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle, acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer are among the senior officials announced for the event.

The exhibition halls open at 9 a.m. on Monday, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

European Defense Industry and Ukrainian Technology in Focus

European manufacturers are arriving in Washington with growing interest in U.S. military requirements and transatlantic industrial cooperation.

Among them is the Czech industrial group Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which is bringing two Tatra Force 8×8 military vehicles to the exhibition as it explores opportunities in the American heavy tactical vehicle market. As previously reported by AdriaDefense, the presentation marks CSG's first participation at AUSA as a group.

Czech companies are also participating in a government-backed business mission to Washington, organized around AUSA and the U.S.–Czech Defense Forum, with the objective of developing commercial relationships with American military and industrial partners.

A notable addition to this year's exhibition is the Ukrainian Defense Tech Pavilion, organized by Fenicks Group in a new outdoor exhibition area adjacent to the convention center. Participating companies include UKRSPECSYSTEMS, Kvertus, Tencore, Reactive Drones and other Ukrainian defense technology developers.

The pavilion brings together manufacturers working on unmanned systems, electronic warfare, counter-drone technology and battlefield support equipment. Its opening-day program includes discussions on Ukrainian wartime industrial production and the rapid adaptation of electronic warfare capabilities.

For American military planners and manufacturers, the Ukrainian presence offers direct access to companies whose technologies have been developed and adapted during an active, large-scale conflict. It also provides Ukrainian manufacturers with an opportunity to establish contacts with potential U.S. customers, industrial partners and investors.

AdriaDefense Reporting From Washington

AdriaDefense is on the exhibition floor at AUSA 2026, covering industry announcements, emerging military technologies and developments relevant to the European defense market.

The Vienna-based publication's reporting will focus particularly on manufacturers from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, their engagement with American defense companies and opportunities for cooperation across NATO supply chains.

Coverage from Washington will continue throughout the three-day exhibition, with updates on significant product announcements, defense industry developments and discussions shaping military procurement on both sides of the Atlantic.