Sponsored by Clarion Events
https://www.dsei.co.uk
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19 Feb 26. ILA Berlin 2026 will be the political forum for Europe’s aerospace industry. ILA Berlin 2026 is strengthening its position as the foremost political platform for the aerospace, security and defence industries. With significant participation from European and national institutions, the event is set to become a key forum for discussing the future of industrial competitiveness, technological sovereignty and security in Europe.
ILA Berlin will be Europe’s largest and most important aerospace trade fair in 2026. From 10 to 14 June 2026, the global aerospace industry will come together in the heart of Europe, in Berlin, under the motto “Pioneering Aerospace”, to present the future of the industry.
Political signal at the highest level
Chancellor Friedrich Merz will open ILA Berlin in person, sending a a clear message about the importance of ILA as the leading trade fair for aerospace, security and future technologies, for both Berlin as a location and for Germany and Europe as a whole. Several federal ministries will be actively present as exhibitors or programme partners, including the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
Marie-Christine von Hahn, Chief Executive of the BDLI: “Europe is facing increasingly complex and rapidly evolving challenges. At the same time, the demands for economic stability, security, climate protection and the maintenance of a stable world order are growing. Close and reliable cooperation between all players in the aerospace, security and defence sectors is essential right now. In 2026 more than ever, ILA is the place where research, industry, politics and the armed forces come together to prepare strategic decisions. Strong political support reinforces our responsibility and our goal: to secure Europe’s ability to act and its sovereignty, and to actively shape its future.”
European Commission reaffirms strategic role at ILA Berlin
The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) will once again be prominently represented at the ILA. This highlights the European Commission’s dedication to promoting European technological leadership and sustainable aviation in Europe.
Largest single exhibitor and security policy anchor
The Federal Ministry of Defence and the German Armed Forces are once again the largest single exhibitor at ILA Berlin. They will be showcasing cutting-edge capabilities, technologies and developments in security and defence, and will be providing a platform for military aerospace at the event. To mark the 70th anniversary of the German Air Force, the Air and Space Chief Meeting will also be taking place in conjunction with the trade fair.
European space innovations in the ILA Space Pavilion
Under this year’s slogan “Space4Future”, the ILA Space Pavilion focuses on the growing importance of space travel for the future of our society. By taking on the patronage of the Space Pavilion, Federal Minister Dorothee Bär reaffirms the significant political and economic value of German space travel. Spanning around 1,500 square metres, the exhibition showcases pivotal European space themes for the future, ranging from security and resilience to exploration, Earth observation, and climate protection.
Berlin Aviation Summit – The Future of Sustainable Aviation
The 5th Berlin Aviation Summit (BAS) is taking place on 9 June, one day before the start of ILA Berlin. The event is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Ministry of Transport. High-ranking stakeholders and decision-makers from politics, business, aviation and finance will meet to discuss the transformation of aviation as well as concrete measures and political framework conditions required for climate-neutral aviation.
About ILA Berlin:
ILA Berlin is one of the world’s leading aerospace trade fairs. It covers the aviation, space, and defence sectors. Every two years, ILA Berlin brings together industry leaders, politicians, researchers, and armed forces personnel to exchange ideas and network. During public days, the event offers the general public the opportunity to experience the latest aerospace trends up close. The next edition will take place from June 10 to 14, 2026, at BER Airport. It is organized by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) in cooperation with Messe Berlin GmbH. The last edition, held in 2024, attracted around 95,000 participants from approximately 60 countries, 600 exhibitors from 31 nations, 350 speakers, and 200 international delegations. Partners include the states of Brandenburg and Berlin, as well as Berlin-Brandenburg Airport.
17 Feb 26. Future Artillery Conference 2026 Returns to London as the World’s Largest Fires Forum.
London, United Kingdom | 19–21 May 2026
The Future Artillery Conference, the world’s largest fires forum, will return to London from 19–21 May 2026, bringing together senior military leaders, defence officials, and industry experts from across the globe to address the future of indirect fires in modern warfare.
Now in its 25th year, the Future Artillery Conference is recognised as the leading international platform dedicated to artillery, fires integration, and battlefield strike capability. Hosted by Defence iQ, the event will take place at the Novotel London West and is expected to welcome over 600 attendees from more than 55 nations, reinforcing its status as a truly global forum for the fires community.
As conflicts evolve and operational environments become increasingly contested, the 2026 agenda will focus on Adapting Fires For The Fight Ahead ” The conference will explore how artillery and fires capabilities are being transformed through advances in precision guided munitions, autonomous and networked systems, resilient logistics, and multi-domain integration.
Strategic Focus on Fires Integration and Operational Effect
The three day programme will examine how indirect fires are being shaped by current operational lessons and future force requirements, with dedicated discussions on:
- Precision guided munitions and advanced launched effects
- Automation, autonomy, and AI enabled targeting
- Ammunition stockpiles, industrial capacity, and supply chain resilience
- Fires integration across joint and multinational operations
- Survivability, forward deployment, and platform modernisation
The agenda is structured to support both strategic level policy discussion and practical operational insight, ensuring relevance for military planners, capability developers, procurement leaders, and industry partners alike.
Senior Military and Industry Leadership
Future Artillery 2026 will feature a distinguished speaker faculty drawn from NATO, allied armed forces, and national artillery commands, including:
- Lieutenant General Jez Bennett CBE, Deputy Commander, NATO Allied Land Command
- Brigadier Robert Alston, Chief Joint Fires and Influence Branch, ARRC NATO
- Brigadier Paul Hughes, Head of Engineering Assurance – Land Domain, Defence Equipment & Support
- Colonel Stephan Sjöberg, Chief of Artillery, Swedish Armed Forces
- Colonel Roman Bobal, Commander, Fires Centre of Excellence, Slovak Armed Forces
Senior representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and NATO partner nations will provide operational insights informed by current and recent conflicts, alongside updates on future doctrine, capability development, and force integration.
A Global Meeting Point for the Fires Community
In addition to the conference programme, Future Artillery 2026 will offer extensive networking opportunities, enabling delegates to engage directly with decision‑makers, OEMs, programme leaders, and technology innovators shaping the next generation of artillery and indirect fires systems.
With 50+ speakers, 27+ sponsors, and representation from across government, military, and industry, the event continues to serve as the central meeting point for the global artillery and munitions community.
Registration and Further Information
Future Artillery Conference 2026 will take place 19–21 May 2026 at the Novotel London West, United Kingdom.
For full agenda details, speaker updates, and registration information, visit:
https://www.defenceiq.com/events-futureartillery/agenda-mc/?utm_source=Battlespace&utm_medium=Media%20Partner&utm_campaign=11157.020_BattleSpace_Press_Release&utm_term=&utm_content=&disc=&extTreatId=7631804
19 Feb 26. Space-Comm Expo is one of Europe’s premier space industry events and the largest event in the UK, taking place in just 2 weeks’ time 4-5 March, ExCeL London. Over 5,400 delegates, 250 exhibitors and 200 speakers from 50 nations will attend the event with inspirational speakers, unrivalled access to government and business leaders, and showcasing cutting edge space technology. The event is timely, with European leaders looking to capitalise on the successful launch last week of Europe’s most powerful rocket to date, Ariane 6, and accelerate ambitions for the future of the European space industry. Now entering its sixth year, Space-Comm Expo Europe is firmly established as the leading industry event in Europe. London provides the ideal location for the award-winning expo, a global capital for international diplomacy, business, and finance; key drivers for building new relationships, collaboration, and growth. Speaking at last year’s Space-Comm Expo, Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, said: “This is truly a remarkable event, bringing together industry, government, and science – it really is the place to be. For me, as head of the European Space Agency, it’s an extremely important event, one of the highlights of the year.” In the UK and Europe, space has never been more important to defence and security with an uncertain geopolitical climate, and vital to modern economies reliant on space infrastructure for communications, navigation, finance, energy, and emergency response. In the UK the sector is valued at £18.6bn to the UK economy, the European Space Agency (ESA) has a budget of €22.1 bn from 2026-28, and the global industry is valued at an estimated $1 trillion by 2030.
Will Whitehorn OBE, Executive Chair of Space-Comm Expo and Chair of Seraphim Venture Capitalists one of the world’s leading space industry investors, based in London, said: “We are in the midst of an industrial space revolution, and right now an explosion in the dual use of satellite data and technology for defence and civilian purposes. Launch capacity, satellite constellations, and orbital infrastructure are accelerating exponentially, with SpaceX’s mega launch Starship being a key driver. The SpaceX and xAI merger announced recently will be seismic for the industry and investors, and mirrors Seraphim’s thesis that global mega trends AI, climate, defence, and connectivity, are converging in orbit. Space-Comm Expo provides a vital forum for leaders from government and business to promote collaboration and drive investment to accelerate the full potential of the UK and European space sector.”
Space-Comm Expo will feature speakers from NASA, ESA, UN, NATO, the UK Space Agency and space agencies from across Europe, alongside defence, business, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, astronauts and academics. The event is free to attend the expo, with paid options for the Conference and business networking. Programme highlights include an international Government & VIP Programme, Defence and National Security summit, and symposiums on investment, insurance and international space law The two-day event features four conference theatres, keynote speakers, panel sessions, meet the buyer programme, technology displays, and networking. Sponsors and exhibitors include Airbus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Barclays, DLA Piper, D-Orbit, DiSTI, Fragomen, GHGSat, Lockeed Martin, OHB, PA Consulting, Relm Insurance, Serco, Skyrora, Sofant, Space Logistics Network, Telespazio, and ViaSat. The expo will feature primes, SME’s and start-ups showcasing technology from across the supply chain, including spaceports, launch, satellites, navigation, propulsion, EO, ISAM, life sciences, AI, robotics, optics, manufacturing, software, electronics, chemicals, components, testing, and many more. Space-Comm Expo Europe provides an ideal opportunity for companies in US, Middle East, Africa and Asia to explore opportunities and build new relationships with ESA, European space agencies, and explore new partnerships for defence and commercial dual-use technology. With just two weeks before Space-Comm Expo Europe, 4-5 March, now is the time to plan ahead, explore the programme, review the exhibitors, and register for Europe’s premier space industry event. For further information, visit Space-Comm Expo Europe: https://space-comm.com
16 Feb 26. The Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX), Michigan’s premier defense and advanced manufacturing event, will enter a new chapter in 2026 as it co-locates with XPONENTIAL at Huntington Place, downtown Detroit. Together, the co-located events will be known as MDEX x XPONENTIAL 2026. For the first time ever, MDEX will be hosted alongside the world’s largest autonomy and uncrewed systems event, XPONENTIAL. More than 11,000 attendees are expected. Defense leaders. Prime contractors. Global autonomy innovators. Federal buyers. Advanced manufacturers. All in Detroit. This is not an expansion. It is a convergence. MDEX has built its reputation as Michigan’s largest defense conference. Hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association Michigan Chapter, the event connects the defense industrial base to government leaders, procurement officials, modernization priorities, and mission-driven collaboration. It is where Michigan’s engineering depth, ground vehicle expertise, and manufacturing capacity align directly with national security demand In 2026, that foundation scales globally. AUVSI selected Detroit as the host city for XPONENTIAL 2026, its flagship international event focused on autonomy, robotics, and uncrewed systems across air, land, and maritime domains. XPONENTIAL is a rotating global platform. Detroit was their decisive plan. That decision signals recognition of Michigan’s defense manufacturing ecosystem, mobility leadership, and capacity to move emerging technologies from concept to production. Detroit at the Center of Defense and Autonomy MDEX remains Michigan’s anchor defense event. XPONENTIAL brings international reach. Together, MDEX and XPONENTIAL 2026 create a unified platform unlike anything the region has hosted.
- 11,000+ expected attendees
- Global representation across industry and government
- Cross-domain technologies from ground vehicles to aerial systems to autonomy
- Direct interaction between defense acquisition stakeholders and defense / autonomy leaders
The co-location is intentional. It places MDEX at the center of a global conversation while maintaining its mission-focused structure. The result is a week where advanced mobility, robotics, AI-enabled systems, and defense modernization intersect in one venue.
Detroit is not just hosting a show. Detroit is demonstrating capability.
A Strategic Win for Michigan Industry
Michigan has long been the backbone of U.S. ground vehicle systems and defense manufacturing. With autonomy reshaping operational doctrine and industrial strategy, the integration of MDEX and XPONENTIAL positions Michigan companies in direct view of global partners and federal decision-makers.
MDEX leadership emphasized that the 2026 format strengthens its core mission while amplifying exposure.
“MDEX has always been about connecting Michigan industry to defense opportunity,” said Misty Martin, MDEX Event Chair. “In 2026, that opportunity expands globally. With XPONENTIAL joining us in Detroit, the scale increases, but the mission remains the same. Deliver capability. Build partnerships. Strengthen the industrial base.”
Representatives from AUVSI noted Detroit’s unique position as a production city capable of deploying, not just demonstrating, autonomous systems.
One Roof. One Week. Unmatched Access.
- MDEX x XPONENTIAL 2026
- Michigan’s premier defense convening
- The world’s leading ground, autonomy and uncrewed systems and platforms
- Huntington Place. Downtown Detroit.
- May 12-14, 2026
The co-located structure allows attendees to move seamlessly between defense-focused programming and global autonomy showcases. The overlap is deliberate. Defense modernization now depends on commercial innovation cycles. Commercial autonomy depends on industrial scale and mission rigor. Detroit provides both.
Together, MDEX x XPONENTIAL 2026 create a single environment where ideas become contracts, prototypes become programs, and partnerships move beyond introductions.
Unparalleled in reach. Unmatched in intent.
Registration and exhibitor details available at https://mdex-ndia.com/
About Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX)
Michigan Defense Expo is Michigan’s premier defense and advanced manufacturing event, hosted by the NDIA Michigan Chapter. MDEX connects defense stakeholders, manufacturers, and technology leaders to strengthen national security and the industrial base. Visit: https://mdex-ndia.co
About XPONENTIAL
XPONENTIAL is the flagship global event of AUVSI, convening international leaders across autonomy, robotics, and uncrewed systems to accelerate deployment across air, land, and maritime domains. Visit: https://xponential.org
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DSEI 2027 – 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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