SAHA EXPO, organized by SAHA Istanbul — Türkiye and Europe’s largest industrial defense cluster — has rapidly grown into one of the world’s most prestigious defense, aerospace and space industry exhibitions. Initially designed as a gateway for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter the global defense ecosystem, the event has since transformed into a central hub where cutting-edge technologies, international partnerships and multibillion-dollar agreements converge. Scheduled to take place for the fifth time between May 5–9, 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Center, the exhibition is preparing to break new records.

Since its debut in 2018, SAHA EXPO has shown remarkable growth in both participation and international influence. In 2024, the exhibition reached its largest scale to date: 1,478 companies from 121 countries showcased their capabilities across 90,000 square meters of exhibition space. The event hosted over 101,000 visitors and recorded an impressive 22,467 planned B2B meetings. A total of 133 agreements worth over $6.2 billion were signed, and 208 new products were launched — marking SAHA EXPO as a decisive force in the global defense marketplace.

Today, the exhibition serves as more than a commercial platform. It has become a strategic showcase for Türkiye’s indigenous defense capabilities, highlighting its manufacturing strength, R&D capacity and export potential. Unmanned aerial, land and naval systems; autonomous platforms; advanced munitions; electronic warfare solutions; space technologies; AI-driven military systems; and next-generation digital defense solutions are all introduced at SAHA EXPO for the first time. It is also a meeting point for major defense primes seeking partnerships, supply chain integration opportunities and technology-sharing agreements with Turkish companies.

Preparations for SAHA EXPO 2026 aim to elevate the exhibition even further. The next edition targets over 1,500 participating companies from more than 120 countries, occupying 100,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space. More than 25,000 planned B2B meetings and over 200,000 visitors are expected — a scale that would set an entirely new benchmark for the event.

The expo will also feature immersive experience zones, including the FPV Drone Area, the SAHA Unmanned Ground Vehicle Arena and the SAHA Rover testing grounds, enabling participants to engage directly with emerging technologies. With global panels, expert analyses and exclusive technology demonstrations, SAHA EXPO 2026 is set to become one of the most influential defense exhibitions shaping the future of military technology, autonomous systems and space capabilities.