SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair is set to open its doors at the Istanbul Expo Center on May 5-9, bringing together the leading players of the global defense, aerospace and space industries. Held under the theme “Dominate Technology, Shape the Future,” the major event will showcase the technological depth, national production capability and full independence vision reached by the Turkish defense industry.

The fair will be held across a record area of 400,000 square meters, with the participation of more than 1,700 companies from over 120 countries. SAHA 2026 will not only serve as a platform where next-generation defense systems are introduced for the first time, but also as a global trade hub where the foundations of billion-dollar strategic partnerships are expected to be laid. More than 25,000 planned B2B meetings are expected to take place throughout the event, while the fair aims to host over 200,000 visitors.

The expanded program of SAHA 2026 will offer new demonstration and interaction areas designed to meet the needs of the industry. Full-scale platforms will be available for close inspection in the expanded outdoor exhibition area. Visits to naval assets at Sarayburnu and Ataköy Port will provide participants with the opportunity to examine sea platforms in real operational environments. Live demonstrations and competitions such as the FPV Drone Area, SAHA Unmanned Ground Vehicle Challenge and SAHA Rover Challenge will further strengthen the field-oriented character of the event.

Several new products developed by the Turkish defense industry will be unveiled for the first time at SAHA 2026. One of the most notable systems will be the CANiK M3 FALCON, a next-generation 12.7x99 mm heavy machine gun developed by SYS Group with the demanding operational needs of air platforms in mind. The M3 FALCON is expected to offer high durability and effective fire support for aviation platforms and will be introduced to international visitors for the first time at the fair.

Small and medium-sized enterprises will also have a strong presence at the event. OSTİM Defense and Aviation Cluster will participate extensively in SAHA 2026, bringing together 11 capable member companies under a single 156-square-meter stand. In addition, many other OSSA member companies will attend the fair with their own stands to showcase their products and capabilities. This participation will demonstrate that Türkiye’s localization drive in the defense and aerospace industry is advancing not only through major companies, but also through a strong SME ecosystem.

Domestic test infrastructures for aviation platforms will be another important focus at SAHA 2026. DEICO’s Aviolinks product family offers a local alternative to critical avionics test and measurement systems that were previously supplied from abroad. Consisting of interface modules supporting MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429 and ARINC-825 protocols, the product family enables the communication layer of avionics test systems to be established with domestic resources. This capability is significant for the development, production and maintenance processes of national aviation platforms.

Türkiye’s capabilities in armored land vehicles will also be among the key highlights of the fair. Nurol Makina will showcase the newest configurations of its armored vehicles, which are currently used in more than 20 countries. Platforms such as NMS EWB, NMS-L and EJDER YALÇIN Ambulance will demonstrate the adaptable structure of Turkish armored vehicles for different mission requirements. High-performance vehicles such as KISRAK 4x4, developed to meet the logistics needs of security forces under the most challenging conditions, will also be introduced.

Unmanned systems will stand out as one of the most important technology areas at SAHA 2026. STM will unveil 6 new national unmanned systems developed for air and naval domains. These include the Long-Range Loitering Munition, an upgraded version of the fixed-wing ALPAGU loitering munition, an Interceptor UAV System and a Mini Reconnaissance-Surveillance System designed to provide instant intelligence and data flow. On the naval side, NETA Elektronik’s Deniz SOTM solution will provide uninterrupted satellite communication for moving naval platforms and unmanned surface vessels.

SAHA 2026 will host a wide range of technologies, from remotely controlled firing systems and laser weapon technologies to next-generation management units that function as the “nervous system” of military platforms. Remote firing systems that can be set up by a single operator aim to increase personnel safety in the field, while domestically developed converter and management units for aircraft, UAVs and armored vehicles will be displayed for the first time. These technologies will demonstrate that Türkiye’s defense ecosystem is no longer only developing platforms, but also producing systems, subsystems and critical infrastructure.

SAHA 2026 will strengthen the global visibility of Türkiye’s domestic and national defense technologies while supporting the country’s technological independence vision. The clustering structure created by SAHA Istanbul has become a powerful platform that accelerates cooperation, joint development and international expansion among companies. The major event in Istanbul is expected to showcase the level reached by the Turkish defense industry and contribute to the sector’s export targets through new international partnerships.