The Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference (BEDEX), one of Europe’s emerging international events in the fields of defense and security, has officially started in the Belgian capital Brussels. Held at Brussels Expo, the event opened with speeches by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Their remarks focused on the changing security landscape, the urgent need to expand defense production capacity, and the importance of accelerating innovation. Bringing together companies from Europe, North America and other regions, the exhibition stands out as a new platform for strategic cooperation and industrial networking in the defense sector.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte underlined that the Alliance needs significantly greater capacity in the current security environment and delivered a clear message to the defense industry. He stressed that production power must be increased on both sides of the Atlantic, supply chains need fresh investment, and depleted stockpiles must be replenished rapidly. Referring to the war in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East, Rutte noted how quickly military inventories can be consumed in times of crisis. According to him, designing advanced technologies is no longer enough on its own; large-scale production and rapid delivery have become equally critical. His message reinforced the view that NATO’s industrial and technological strength can produce far greater results when allies move in close coordination.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated that Europe had spent too long underestimating the importance of defense preparedness, but that it is now increasingly clear that security requires continuous effort. He recalled that Belgium once spent more than 3 percent of its GDP on defense in previous decades, before that figure fell below 1 percent, and has only recently started rising again. De Wever argued that Europe’s security architecture has changed fundamentally and that defense can no longer be seen only through the lens of military spending. In his view, long-term security also depends on technological development, innovation capacity, industrial resilience and societal preparedness. In that context, events such as BEDEX are not merely commercial gatherings, but strategic meeting points for the future of European defense.

Türkiye’s defense industry presence was also strongly felt throughout the exhibition. Both NATO Secretary General Rutte and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken drew attention to the capabilities of Turkish defense companies. Rutte highlighted that around 3,000 defense firms in Türkiye work with partners in Europe and the United States, stressing that allies should avoid exclusionary approaches. Francken similarly argued that strategic autonomy should not mean excluding partners such as Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada. His visit to the ASELSAN stand became one of the notable moments of the event, as he openly praised Türkiye’s strong military, operational experience and industrial know-how, saying there is much to learn from the Turkish defense sector.

ASELSAN emerged at BEDEX 2026 not only as an exhibitor presenting its systems, but also as an influential voice in discussions about the transformation of the global defense industry. Speaking on a panel, ASELSAN Deputy General Manager Özgür Taylan Sarı emphasized the close connection between crisis management and risk management, noting that agility, rapid manufacturing and shorter delivery timelines are now decisive factors in defense production. He revealed that the company’s order backlog increased by 46 percent last year, surpassing $20 billion, and said ASELSAN has launched a new $1.5 billion production facility investment to further expand capacity. Sarı’s remarks reinforced the idea that Türkiye, with NATO-compatible systems, a strong talent base and growing production capability, is becoming an increasingly important hub for international defense partnerships.

With participation from more than 200 national and international companies from 25 countries, BEDEX aims to create new cooperation opportunities between Europe’s defense industry and global firms. Alongside the exhibition of defense technologies, security solutions and military equipment, the event’s panels and conferences address issues such as industrial transformation, emerging technologies, supply chain security and international cooperation. This makes BEDEX far more than a conventional trade fair. Over the course of its three-day program, the event is expected to bring together public officials, industry leaders, researchers and experts, helping lay the groundwork for a new generation of defense partnerships centered in Europe.