Sponsored by Clarion Events
https://www.dsei.co.uk
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11 Sep 25. SDSC-UK 2026, 3 & 4 February 2026, The NEC, Birmingham. Stand bookings for SDSC-UK 2026 exhibition are now open. Taking place at our new venue The NEC, Birmingham, the event will bring together SMEs, primes, and key stakeholders from across defence and security.
The exhibition is a highlight of the programme, taking place on 4 February and offering a concentrated day for organisations to connect directly with attendees.
As an exhibitor, your organisation will benefit from:
- A prominent platform to showcase your products and services
- Direct access to decision-makers and buyers from across industry and government
- Opportunities to develop new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships
You can now view the floorplan and explore the full range of exhibitor opportunities in our Opportunities Brochure:
SDSC-UK 2026 Floorplan *
SDSC-UK 2026 Opportunities Brochure
* Stand numbers have been intentionally withheld at this stage to allow for final refinements to the layout, ensuring the best possible exhibitor and visitor flow.
Stand allocation will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, and early booking is recommended to secure your preferred location.
To confirm your stand or discuss opportunities in more detail, please contact Suzie and Emma on
We look forward to welcoming you to SDSC-UK 2026 at The NEC.
11 Sep 25. Adelaide secures global undersea defence technology exposition. A major international defence and trade event will be hosted outside Europe for the first time in its 37-year history, with the Malinauskas Labor Government securing hosting rights in Adelaide for three years. Adelaide has been confirmed as the host city for Undersea Defence Technology (UDT), a globally recognised defence trade exposition. The event’s 2026 arrival marks the first time UDT will be staged in the Southern Hemisphere, reinforcing South Australia’s reputation as a world-class destination for defence and strategic innovation.
Held at the Adelaide Showgrounds in December 2026, UDT will bring together leading experts in undersea defence technology, government officials and military personnel from around the world and is expected to attract 2,000 delegates, with more than half from overseas.
Event organisers Clarion Events, which also run the world-renowned Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) events, has selected Adelaide as an ideal location for the event.
This is due to the city’s expertise in undersea defence innovation and as a key partner in the AUKUS alliance as the build location for the most significant industrial undertaking in the nation’s history in the SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
The event provides unparalleled networking opportunities, innovative conference content and incorporates the latest technologies in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced technologies in the underwater domain.
The event is set to deliver significant economic benefits of more than $30 m to South Australia, while providing local defence primes and SMEs direct access to international markets and key decision makers.
Adelaide secured UDT Australia as an annual three-day event for the next three years until 2028 through a joint bid led by Business Events Adelaide, with support from the South Australian Government through Defence SA, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency and the City of Adelaide.
The 2025-26 State Budget provided more than $10 m across the forward estimates for Business Events Adelaide to increase visitation and tourism to SA by securing major events, conferences and exhbitions.
Business Events Adelaide works globally to identify and attract business events that fit our sectors of strategic strength, and UDT is a prime example of that. Not only will these business events generate a strong financial return for our members but will also provide a significant economic tail of enduring benefits, collaboration and connectivity to defence experts from around the world.
Securing this business event has been a true ‘Team Adelaide’ effort, and we are grateful for the support we have received to secure it.
10 Sep 25. Nigeria to host inaugural Africa Defence Exhibition in 2026. Africa’s defence exhibition space will next year see a new addition to the calendar when Nigeria hosts AFRIDEX – the Africa Defence Exhibition – in Lagos. Set down for 26 to 29 October, AFRIDEX publicly debuted at August’s African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The exhibition will take place just over a month after the long running Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) closes its doors on exhibition number 13 at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Centurion, South Africa, next year.
AFRIDEX will be co-hosted by DICON (Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria) and dmg Events, a specialist face-to-face events organisation with representation in nine countries. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two was signed by DICON Director General Major General BI Alaya and Nick Ornstein, representing the United Kingdom headquartered dmg Events during the African defence chiefs summit.
The Nigerian exhibition is, a DICON statement has it, set to become Africa’s premier defence and security platform, bringing together global leaders, innovators and policy makers to collaborate on strengthening security across the continent.
It continues: “The 2026 edition will be the largest defence and security exhibition in Africa, uniting military officials, government representatives and technology pioneers from across the globe. Designed to inspire collaboration and innovation, the exhibition will offer participants strategic insights, practical tools and opportunities to transform ideas into action. Both local and international defence companies will showcase their products and services, including armoured vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, weapons, ammunition, drones and other advanced defence systems.”
AFRIDEX 2026 will, according to DICON, create opportunities for Nigerian and African defence manufacturers to exhibit capabilities, share knowledge and explore partnerships to drive critical development in the continent’s defence sector. Further, the exhibition will promote knowledge sharing, technology transfer and what is termed “the enhancement of Africa’s defence reputation and capabilities”.
Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos, will be home to AFRIDEX 2026 at an as yet unnamed venue. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
10 Sep 25. World Defense Show (WDS), founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in Saudi Arabia, announced today from DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) 2025 that 96% of its total exhibition space has already been booked for its third edition. This remarkable demand, coupled with participation from a record 80 exhibiting countries – a significant increase from previous editions – clearly demonstrates the unparalleled global standing and international confidence WDS has attained within the defense industry.
The World Defense Show team was present at DSEI 2025, leveraging the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and share the unprecedented momentum building for World Defense Show 2026, taking place from February 8-12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“The overwhelming demand for exhibition space at WDS 2026, with three out of four halls already sold out, leaving only 4% of space available. This underscores the show’s rapid ascent as a pivotal global platform for the defense community,” said Andrew Pearcey, CEO of World Defense Show. “Our presence here at DSEI allows us to engage directly with key stakeholders and highlight how WDS is accelerating future-defining outcomes for the global defense community.”
World Defense Show 2026 is expected to welcome 925 exhibitors—marking a sharp rise from 773 in 2024. The United Kingdom continues to be a key participant for WDS, with a strong and growing presence at the 2026 show. Currently, 28 companies from the UK are confirmed to participate, with an expected increase to 35-40 as final confirmations are made, including companies participating with UKDSE. Top UK defense companies such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Draken, Systematic, and Rheinmetall UK are among the confirmed exhibitors. Notably, the UK Pavilion has seen an impressive 15% growth since 2024, reflecting the increasing strategic alignment between the UK defense sector and the opportunities presented by WDS and Saudi Vision 2030.
Under its 2026 theme, ‘The Future of Defense Integration,’ WDS is placing a strong emphasis on cutting-edge integrative technologies, with the Future Defense Lab serving as a cornerstone of this vision. This dedicated innovation engine will showcase new and emerging technologies across critical domains, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Systems, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Quantum Technologies, Cyber Security, Space-based Technology, and Advanced Materials. A dedicated content theater within the Future Defense Lab will facilitate stimulating discussions on the trajectory of the industry, while a new Investor Program will connect investors directly with exhibitors, fostering opportunities for investment in groundbreaking defense solutions.
“The Future Defense Lab will give attendees a deep understanding of emerging trends that will shape the defense landscape,” explained Pearcey. “Our goal is to inspire the next generation of defense innovators and foster connections that lead to future collaborations and partnerships, bridging the gap between startups, government, and academic institutions.”
WDS 2026 is set to be its most impactful event to date, with expanded exhibition space spanning 273,000 sqm – a 58% increase since 2022 – alongside a suite of new features including the Unmanned Systems Zone, Naval Zone, and Saudi Supply Chain Zone, all designed to accelerate future-defining outcomes for the global defense community.
As exhibition space is now extremely limited, WDS urges interested exhibitors to finalize their participation promptly. Concurrently, the registration portal for trade visitors has officially launched, inviting individuals and corporations to secure their badge for the third edition.
For show registration, please visit: https://registration.worlddefenseshow.com/
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DSEI 2025 – POWERING PROGRESS, DEFINING YOUR FUTURE
DSEI connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence & security supply chain on a global scale. With a range of valuable opportunities for networking, a platform for business, access to relevant content & live-action demonstrations, the DSEI community can strengthen relationships, share knowledge and engage in the latest capabilities across the exhibition’s Aerospace, Land, Naval, Security & Joint Zones.
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