The SAHA 2026 International Defence, Aerospace and Space Industry Exhibition will be held from 5 to 9 May 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Centre, Türkiye. Organized by SAHA Istanbul, the event stands among the world’s leading gatherings in the defense and aerospace sector, bringing together more than 1,500 exhibitors, official and commercial delegations from 121 countries, and over 25,000 scheduled B2B, G2B, and G2G meetings across a 100,000-square-metre exhibition area.
Held biennially, SAHA serves as a strategic platform for global cooperation, technology transfer, and industrial partnerships. It provides a venue for governments, defense companies, and research institutions to explore new-generation technologies and strengthen international collaboration across land, air, sea, and space domains.
In addition to its extensive exhibition space, SAHA 2026 will feature SAHA Talks panels, NATO DIANA events, and high-level signing ceremonies. Dedicated zones will include the FPV Drone Zone for live tactical demonstrations, the SAHA UGV Challenge for autonomous ground vehicles, the Rover Challenge, and a Disruptive Technologies Zone. More than 300 new products are expected to make their debut during the event.
Türkiye’s Defence Industry and Global Reach
Türkiye’s defense industry continues to grow with a domestic production rate exceeding 80%, an annual turnover surpassing $20 billion, and exports reaching 185 countries. The country accounted for 65% of the world’s tactical UAV exports and ranked 11th globally in defense exports in 2024. With more than 1,380 ongoing projects, Türkiye’s defense sector is expanding its technological capabilities and international footprint.
Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of SAHA Istanbul, stated:
“Türkiye is at the heart of global defence transformation. SAHA 2026 is a strategic platform for cooperation and technology transfer. We are here not as a market, but as a solution partner.”
SAHA EXPO 2024
The previous edition, held in 2024, hosted 1,478 exhibitors and welcomed 101,317 visitors. A total of 22,467 B2B, G2B, and G2G meetings were held, and 208 product launches took place. The exhibition also saw 133 cooperation agreements signed, with a total trade volume of $6.2 billion, reflecting its growing influence as a hub for defense collaboration and technological innovation.
Click here to visit the official event website for further details.
