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The global security environment is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve in defence innovation, strategy, and international cooperation is paramount for industry professionals and nations alike. The second half of 2025 is packed with significant international defence and security exhibitions, conferences, and forums. These events offer invaluable opportunities for defence professionals, industry leaders, innovators, and international partners to connect, learn, and collaborate on the latest advancements and strategic challenges.
This guide highlights key upcoming events, providing a brief overview of their focus, scale, and direct links to more information. Mark your calendars and prepare to engage with the global defence community to explore emerging technologies, understand market trends, and foster crucial partnerships.
Upcoming Defence & Security Events: June - December 2025
Here's a chronological list of notable events shaping the global defence and security landscape:
JUNE 2025
- AI+ Expo
- Dates: June 2-4, 2025
- Location: Washington, D.C., USA
- Focus: AI, emerging technologies (biotech, energy, computing, manufacturing, AR) for national security and allied competitiveness.
- Size/Link: Major international expo (est. 15,000+ attendees) focusing on U.S. and allied tech leadership. Visit Website
- Brief Description: A critical event for understanding the future of technology in national security, convening government, academia, and industry to explore AI and other emerging tech breakthroughs. Essential for those tracking AI in defence and dual-use technologies.
- TechNet International 2025
- Dates: June 4-5, 2025
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Focus: New technologies, global cooperation, defence & security in the digital age, with a strong NATO/EU emphasis.
- Size/Link: Significant European conference targeting military, security experts, and industry. Visit AFCEA Europe
- Brief Description: Explores the crucial role of new technologies and global cooperation in advancing defence and security, particularly within the NATO and EU context. A key event for understanding European defence technology trends.
- Speed@Seawork 2025
- Dates: June 9, 2025
- Location: Southampton, UK
- Focus: Fast manoeuvre craft, sea trials for defence and specialist maritime sectors.
- Size/Link: Specialized event for the high-speed craft defence community. Visit Seawork
- Brief Description: Dedicated to high-speed vessels for defence and specialized maritime applications, featuring dynamic sea trials and equipment presentations. Important for naval procurement and maritime security specialists.
- Seawork 2025
- Dates: June 10-12, 2025
- Location: Southampton, UK
- Focus: Commercial marine, workboats, with significant defence applications including patrol boats and autonomous vessels.
- Size/Link: Europe's largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition (7,600+ professionals). Visit Seawork
- Brief Description: A broad maritime exhibition showcasing vessels, equipment, and technologies with relevance to both commercial and defence/security sectors, including autonomous systems and marine tech innovations.
- Future Soldier Technology USA Conference 2025
- Dates: June 10-12, 2025
- Location: Arlington, VA, USA
- Focus: Soldier modernization, enhancing lethality, situational awareness, protection, and power management.
- Size/Link: Key U.S. conference on dismounted soldier capabilities. Visit ASD Events
- Brief Description: Focuses on modernizing the U.S. warfighter, covering advancements in weaponry, protection, mobility, and situational awareness technologies. A must-attend for those in land warfare systems.
- Human Performance & Biosystems Summit 2025
- Dates: June 11-12, 2025
- Location: National Harbor, MD, USA
- Focus: Total force fitness, warfighter performance, wearable biotech, holistic health, and mission readiness.
- Size/Link: Specialized U.S. summit for military human performance experts. Visit ASD Events (DSI)
- Brief Description: Addresses strategies to enhance the physical, mental, and overall fitness of military personnel for optimal mission readiness, including wearable technology and biotech applications in defence.
- International Paris Air Show (SIAE)
- Dates: June 16-22, 2025
- Location: Le Bourget, Paris, France
- Focus: Global aerospace, defence, space, air defence, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation.
- Size/Link: World's largest aerospace trade show. Visit SIAE
- Brief Description: The premier global event for the aerospace industry, showcasing the latest in civil aviation, defence, space technology, and future air power innovations. A cornerstone event for aerospace and defence manufacturers and buyers.
- MILSATCOM USA 2025
- Dates: June 16-18, 2025
- Location: Arlington, VA, USA
- Focus: Military satellite communications, COMSATCOM integration, spectrum management, space cybersecurity.
- Scale & Link: Key U.S. conference. MILSATCOM USA (via SpaceAgenda)
- Brief Description: Dedicated to advancing military satellite communications, focusing on innovation, integration of commercial SATCOM, and ensuring warfighter advantage in space. Crucial for space domain awareness and SATCOM technology providers.
- Naval Defense Expo 2025 (Philippines)
- Dates: June 18-20, 2025
- Location: Manila, Philippines
- Focus: Naval defence, coastal security, maritime technology with an Asia-Pacific regional focus.
- Scale & Link: Specialized regional naval defence event, attracting international exhibitors and stakeholders. Naval Defense Expo Philippines (via Eventbrite)
- Brief Description: A naval defence and coastal security event tailored for the Philippines and the wider Asia-Pacific region, showcasing international maritime defence technologies and regional security cooperation.
- NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum (NSDIF)
- Dates: June 24, 2025
- Location: The Hague, Netherlands
- Focus: NATO-industry cooperation, transatlantic defence industrial strategy, strengthening long-term collaboration.
- Size/Link: High-level strategic forum for NATO leadership and defence industry CEOs. (Information via official NATO channels)
- Brief Description: The primary meeting between NATO leadership and the defence industry during the Summit week, focusing on enhancing transatlantic defence cooperation and industrial capacity. Key for understanding NATO procurement trends.
- NATO Summit 2025
- Dates: June 24-25, 2025
- Location: The Hague, Netherlands
- Focus: NATO strategic decisions, collective defence, international security.
- Size/Link: Pivotal summit for NATO Heads of State and Government. (Information via official NATO channels)
- Brief Description: A crucial summit where NATO leaders will make strategic decisions on collective defence, responses to global threats, and the Alliance's posture, with significant implications for regional and global security.
JULY 2025
- Defence iQ's Uncrewed Naval Systems (UNS) 2025
- Dates: July 15-16, 2025
- Location: London, UK
- Focus: Uncrewed/autonomous naval systems (USVs/UUVs), AI, ISR, MCM, ASW, undersea infrastructure security.
- Size/Link: Key international conference on uncrewed maritime systems. Visit Defence iQ
- Brief Description: Focuses on integrating uncrewed and autonomous systems into naval operations, covering USVs, AI, advanced sensors, and applications like ISR and mine countermeasures. A leading event in maritime robotics and AI.
- Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025
- Dates: July 18-20, 2025
- Location: RAF Fairford, UK
- Focus: Major military airshow with extensive aircraft displays and aerospace industry engagement.
- Size/Link: One of the world's largest military airshows. Visit Air Tattoo
- Brief Description: A globally renowned military airshow featuring spectacular flying displays and static exhibitions of aircraft from around the world, fostering international air force cooperation and showcasing air power.
- IDEF 2025 (International Defence Industry Fair)
- Dates: July 22-27, 2025
- Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
- Focus: Tri-service defence technology (land, sea, air, space), security, logistics.
- Size/Link: Major international defence exhibition (1,400+ exhibitors, 94,000+ visitors in 2023). Visit IDEF
- Brief Description: A significant international defence industry fair showcasing the latest technologies across all domains, serving as a key meeting point for global defence stakeholders and a hub for defence exports.
AUGUST 2025
- DEF CON 33
- Dates: August 7-10, 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Focus: Hacker convention covering offensive/defensive cybersecurity, vulnerability research, cryptography.
- Size/Link: One of the world's largest and most famous hacker conventions. Visit DEF CON
- Brief Description: A premier gathering for the global hacking and cybersecurity community, exploring cutting-edge security vulnerabilities, tools, and techniques. Essential for cybersecurity professionals.
- Black Hat USA 2025
- Dates: August 2-7, 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Focus: Cybersecurity, threat intelligence, exploit development, malware analysis, technical trainings.
- Size/Link: Leading global cybersecurity conference. Visit Black Hat
- Brief Description: A highly technical cybersecurity conference offering in-depth briefings, trainings, and an exhibition on the latest information security risks, research, and trends.
- TechNet Augusta 2025
- Dates: August 18-21, 2025
- Location: Augusta, GA, USA
- Focus: U.S. Army cyber operations, multi-domain operations, non-kinetic dominance, cybersecurity.
- Size/Link: Key U.S. Army focused cyber and technology event. Visit AFCEA Augusta
- Brief Description: Explores the intricacies of the cyber domain with a strong focus on U.S. Army cyber operations, technology, and multi-domain integration. Important for cyber defence contractors.
- NGAUS 147th General Conference & Exhibition
- Dates: August 22-25, 2025
- Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Focus: U.S. National Guard priorities, training, partnerships, legislative agenda.
- Size/Link: Annual conference for the National Guard Association of the United States. Visit NGAUS
- Brief Description: The annual meeting of the U.S. National Guard Association, focusing on issues relevant to the Army and Air National Guard, and setting legislative priorities for this key U.S. military component.
SEPTEMBER 2025
- MSPO (International Defence Industry Exhibition)
- Dates: September 2-5, 2025
- Location: Kielce, Poland
- Focus: Central European defence exhibition covering land systems, air defence, military technology.
- Size/Link: Largest defence industry exhibition in Central Europe. Visit MSPO
- Brief Description: A major European defence trade event showcasing the latest military technologies and equipment, with a strong focus on land and air systems. A key event for accessing Central European defence markets.
- IISS Prague Defence Summit 2025
- Dates: September 3-5, 2025
- Location: Prague, Czech Republic
- Focus: Euro-Atlantic defence capacity, deterring Russia, European defence policy, funding.
- Size/Link: Major strategic defence summit. Visit IISS
- Brief Description: A forum for discussing the development of defence capacity in the Euro-Atlantic region, focusing on policy, strategy, and operational challenges. Important for defence policy analysts and strategists.
- DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International)
- Dates: September 9-12, 2025
- Location: London, UK
- Focus: Global defence/security exhibition (land, sea, air, space, cyber), innovation.
- Size/Link: One of the world's largest integrated defence and security exhibitions (45,000+ attendees). Visit DSEI
- Brief Description: A premier global event connecting governments, armed forces, and industry across all defence and security domains, showcasing the latest equipment and technologies. A critical event for international defence sales and partnerships.
- 16th Annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit
- Dates: September 9-12, 2025
- Location: Washington, D.C., USA
- Focus: U.S. Government cybersecurity, AI in cyber, federal/international cyber policy, critical infrastructure.
- Size/Link: Leading U.S. government-focused cybersecurity summit (2,500+ attendees). Visit Billington CyberSecurity
- Brief Description: Explores key cyber issues to advance the cybersecurity of the U.S. government, its allies, and critical infrastructure, with a focus on strategy and AI.
- DEFCROS (Defence, Security and Cyber Defence Exhibition and Conference)
- Dates: September 11-12, 2025
- Location: Osijek, Croatia
- Focus: Public safety, defence, cybersecurity with a Southeastern Europe regional focus.
- Size/Link: Growing regional public safety and defence expo. Visit DEFCROS
- Brief Description: A regional event uniting experts in public safety, defence, and cybersecurity, showcasing solutions for crime-fighting, commercial security, and military innovation in Southeastern Europe.
- AFA National Convention
- Dates: September 20-21, 2025
- Location: National Harbor, MD, USA
- Focus: Air & Space Forces Association internal business, advocacy priorities.
- Size/Link: Annual business meeting for the AFA. Visit AFA Convention
- Brief Description: The Air & Space Forces Association's annual business meeting, setting the agenda for advocacy and support of U.S. air and space power.
- AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference
- Dates: September 22-24, 2025
- Location: National Harbor, MD, USA
- Focus: U.S. Air Force/Space Force strategy, capabilities, technology, professional development.
- Size/Link: Premier U.S. Department of the Air Force professional development event. Visit AFA Conference
- Brief Description: A major conference for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, featuring senior leadership addresses, panel discussions, and an exposition on air, space, and cyber power. Key for aerospace defence contractors.
- National Cyber Summit
- Dates: September 23-25, 2025
- Location: Huntsville, AL, USA
- Focus: Cybersecurity technology, innovation, collaboration, workforce development.
- Size/Link: Innovative U.S. cybersecurity event. Visit National Cyber Summit
- Brief Description: Focuses on education, collaboration, and innovation in cybersecurity technology, attracting talent from government, industry, and academia.
- Sea Future 2025
- Dates: Sept 29 - Oct 2, 2025
- Location: La Spezia Naval Base, Italy
- Focus: Maritime/dual-use tech, Blue Economy, naval innovation, underwater/cyber defence.
- Size/Link: Key European maritime technology business convention. Visit Sea Future
- Brief Description: A business convention for maritime and dual-use technologies, highlighting naval innovations, underwater systems, cyber defence, and green technology. Important for naval tech and blue economy stakeholders.
OCTOBER 2025
- GSOF Symposium Europe
- Dates: October 7-9, 2025
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Focus: Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, SOF technology, tactics, international cooperation.
- Size/Link: Key European event for the global SOF community. Visit GSOF Europe
- Brief Description: Brings together international Special Operations Forces stakeholders to discuss developments in SOF operations, technology, and partnerships.
- Technology Assessment Methods Workshop (MORS)
- Dates: October 7-8, 2025
- Location: Laurel, MD, USA
- Focus: Defence technology assessment methodologies, operations research, analytical approaches.
- Size/Link: Specialized workshop by the Military Operations Research Society. (Information via
net.mors.org) - Brief Description: Focuses on methodologies for assessing technology within a defence and security context, emphasizing rigorous analytical approaches for defence R&D.
- AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition
- Dates: October 13-15, 2025
- Location: Washington, D.C., USA
- Focus: U.S. Army land power exposition, Army priorities, land systems technology, professional development.
- Size/Link: Largest land power exposition in North America. Visit AUSA
- Brief Description: A major event for the U.S. Army, showcasing capabilities, industry products, and featuring discussions on military and national security subjects. A cornerstone for land warfare technology.
- Expodefensa
- Dates: October 20-22, 2025
- Location: Bogotá, Colombia
- Focus: Latin American defence/security, asymmetric threats, border/urban security, UAVs, AI.
- Size/Link: Leading defence and security hub for Latin America and the Caribbean. Visit Expodefensa
- Brief Description: Focuses on defence and security challenges in Latin America, showcasing technologies for combating organized crime, border security, and crisis management. Key for the Latin American defence market.
- SIDEC (Slovenian International Defence Show)
- Dates: October 21-24, 2025
- Location: Celje, Slovenia
- Focus: Disruptive technologies, AI, cyber, energy resilience in defence (invitation only).
- Size/Link: New international defence exhibition in Slovenia. Visit SIDEC
- Brief Description: An invitation-only event focusing on technological evolution through disruptive technologies, including AI, cybersecurity, and energy resilience for defence. Highlights emerging defence tech.
- International Dismounted Soldier Conference 2025
- Dates: October 28-29, 2025
- Location: London, UK
- Focus: Dismounted soldier modernization, lethality, survivability, C4ISR, robotics, operating environments.
- Size/Link: Key international conference on soldier systems. Visit Defence iQ
- Brief Description: Dedicated to enhancing dismounted soldier capabilities, covering lethality, survivability, C4I, power solutions, and robotics for diverse operational environments.
- Seoul ADEX (International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition)
- Dates: Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2025
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Focus: Aerospace, defence technology (air, land, sea, space), Korean/Asian industry showcase.
- Size/Link: Premier global aerospace and defence exhibition in Asia. Visit Seoul ADEX
- Brief Description: A major international event showcasing advanced technologies across air, land, sea, and space domains, with a strong representation from South Korean and Asian industries. Key for the Asian defence market.
NOVEMBER 2025
- Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition
- Dates: November 4-6, 2025
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Focus: Naval defence, commercial maritime, shipbuilding, maritime surveillance, cybersecurity (Indo-Pacific).
- Size/Link: Premier commercial maritime and naval defence exposition in the Indo-Pacific. Visit Indo Pacific Expo
- Brief Description: Connects defence, industry, and government leaders on naval defence, shipbuilding, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Designing Tactical Games Course (MORS)
- Dates: November 4-6, 2025
- Location: MORS Community (USA/Virtual)
- Focus: Tactical game design for military training, wargaming, analysis, doctrine development.
- Size/Link: Specialized course by the Military Operations Research Society. (Information via
net.mors.org) - Brief Description: Focuses on the principles and practices of designing tactical games for military training, operational analysis, and decision support.
- Defence & Security 2025
- Dates: November 10-13, 2025
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
- Focus: ASEAN tri-service defence (Land, Sea, Air), internal security, regional partnerships.
- Size/Link: Leading ASEAN tri-service defence and internal security event (est. 20,000+ visitors). Visit Asian Defense
- Brief Description: A major event in Southeast Asia covering land, sea, and air defence equipment, as well as internal security solutions, fostering regional partnerships. Important for the ASEAN defence market.
- Dubai Airshow
- Dates: November 17-21, 2025
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Focus: Aerospace, defence, space (Middle East focus), advanced aviation, eVTOLs, AI.
- Size/Link: Premier aerospace event in the Middle East (1,400+ exhibitors, 135,000+ attendees). Visit Dubai Airshow
- Brief Description: A leading global aerospace event showcasing innovations in aviation, defence, and space, with a strong focus on the Middle East market and high-value defence contracts.
- Milipol Paris 2025
- Dates: November 18-21, 2025
- Location: Paris, France
- Focus: Homeland security, safety, AI in security, critical infrastructure protection, cybercrime.
- Size/Link: Leading international event for homeland security and safety (est. 30,000+ visitors). Visit Milipol
- Brief Description: The foremost international event for homeland security and safety, covering law enforcement, public place security, anti-terrorism, and cyberthreats, with a 2025 focus on AI. Key for security technology.
- NEDS (NIDV Defence & Security)
- Dates: November 20, 2025
- Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Focus: Dutch defence/security industry, unmanned systems, cybersecurity, space systems.
- Size/Link: Premier event for the Dutch defence and security industry. Visit NIDV Exhibition
- Brief Description: Showcases the latest innovations from the Dutch defence and security sector, covering land, air, naval, cyber, and space systems. Highlights Dutch defence tech expertise.
DECEMBER 2025
- EDEX (Egypt Defence Expo)
- Dates: December 1-4, 2025
- Location: New Cairo, Egypt
- Focus: Tri-service defence exhibition (Africa/Middle East focus), land, sea, air technology.
- Size/Link: Leading tri-service defence expo for Africa and the Middle East (35,000+ visitors). Visit EDEX
- Brief Description: Egypt's flagship defence exhibition, providing a platform for international companies to showcase land, sea, and air technologies to the African and Middle Eastern regions.
- I/ITSEC (Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference)
- Dates: December 1-5, 2025
- Location: Orlando, FL, USA
- Focus: Modeling, simulation, training technology, virtual/constructive/live training, operational dominance.
- Size/Link: World's largest modeling, simulation, and training event. Visit I/ITSEC
- Brief Description: The premier global conference for modeling, simulation, and training, showcasing the latest technologies and methodologies to optimize training and ensure operational dominance. Essential for military training solutions.
- DoDIIS Worldwide Conference
- Dates: December 7-10, 2025
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Focus: DoD Intelligence Information Systems, C4ISR, intelligence community collaboration, cybersecurity.
- Size/Link: Major U.S. DoD intelligence community event. (Information via DIA channels)
- Brief Description: A key conference for the U.S. Department of Defense intelligence community, focusing on information technology, intelligence systems, and collaboration.
- 62nd AOC International Symposium & Convention
- Dates: December 9-11, 2025
- Location: National Harbor, MD, USA
- Focus: Electronic warfare (EW), electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), cyber-EM activities (CEMA), information operations.
- Size/Link: Premier event for electronic warfare and EMSO professionals. Visit Association of Old Crows
- Brief Description: The leading international symposium for electronic warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operations, and cyber-electromagnetic activities, addressing threats, technologies, and policies. Critical for EW and spectrum dominance.
Strategic and proactive engagement at these key events will be instrumental for industry players and government representatives looking to understand evolving threats, discover new technologies, and build crucial partnerships. The opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development are significant; seizing them requires diligent preparation and focused participation. This calendar serves as a vital resource for navigating the dynamic landscape of global defence and security in the latter half of 2025.
