Record attendance, technological transformation and the growing importance of resilience and industrial sovereignty

Eurosatory will take place from 15 to 19 June 2026 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. The leading international trade fair for defence, security and crisis management is bigger than ever this year, whilst also reflecting the profound changes currently shaping the global security landscape. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, technological disruptions and a growing debate on strategic autonomy, the event is gaining significance far beyond its role as an industry platform.

With more than 2,600 exhibitors from 68 countries, over 350 official delegations and an expanded exhibition area, the fair is reaching new heights. This year’s edition highlights in particular the increasing interdependence of defence, internal security, crisis management and technological innovation.

A turning point in security policy is shaping the industry

The international security architecture is undergoing a phase of fundamental reorganisation. The war in Ukraine, rising tensions in various regions of the world, and the growing significance of hybrid threats have permanently altered the demands placed on armed forces, security agencies and operators of critical infrastructure.

At the same time, technological development is accelerating in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity and digital connectivity. Security and defence organisations are thus faced with the challenge of continuously adapting their capabilities to new threat scenarios.

Eurosatory 2026 reflects this development in a unique way. The spectrum of solutions on display ranges from traditional land and air-land systems, through modern command and information systems, to AI-supported analysis platforms, autonomous drone systems and technologies for securing critical infrastructure.

Technological innovation as a strategic factor

The high proportion of new market entrants is striking. More than a third of the exhibiting companies are taking part in the exhibition for the first time. Many of these players come from technology-driven sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity or deep tech.

This development highlights a fundamental shift within the defence and security industry. Innovation is increasingly emerging at the interfaces between traditional defence technology, the digital economy and scientific research. The ability to rapidly translate new technologies into operationally relevant applications is thus becoming a decisive competitive and security factor.

Artificial intelligence, in particular, is emerging as a key technology. It now influences almost all areas of modern security architectures – from situational awareness and autonomous systems to cyber defence and decision support.

The digitalisation of the battlefield

A central theme of this year’s exhibition is the ongoing digitalisation of military and security-related operations. Modern conflict scenarios are increasingly characterised by the availability of real-time data, sensor fusion, networked platforms and autonomous systems.

The traditional boundaries between physical and digital operational domains are becoming increasingly blurred. Cyber operations, electronic warfare, information operations and conventional military capabilities are becoming ever more closely intertwined.

The demonstrations presented at the exhibition illustrate this development. Among other things, drone and counter-drone systems, digital command platforms, autonomous vehicles and modern solutions for urban operational scenarios and crisis response will be on display. They offer insights into the technological concepts that could shape future operational environments.

Defence innovation requires capital

A new feature of Eurosatory 2026 is the introduction of a dedicated section for defence financing. This expansion reflects the realisation that technological innovation alone is not sufficient to meet the security challenges of the coming years.

Scaling up new technologies, building resilient industrial capabilities and strengthening the European defence industry require significant investment. Banks, investors, insurance companies and public institutions are therefore increasingly taking centre stage in security policy discussions.

In Europe in particular, the question of how to finance strategically relevant technologies and reduce industrial dependencies is gaining in importance. The debate on technological and industrial sovereignty is thus increasingly becoming a fiscal policy issue as well.

Resilience as a cross-cutting theme

In addition to military capabilities, societal resilience is coming more into focus. The experiences of recent years have shown that modern security strategies extend far beyond traditional defence issues.

Natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks and disruptions to critical infrastructure highlight the importance of robust crisis management structures. Accordingly, the exhibition is dedicating a separate focus to civil protection and crisis response.

As part of the HELPED concept, solutions for civil protection, humanitarian aid, emergency logistics, decontamination, mine clearance and the protection of critical services will be presented. This approach underscores the increasing convergence between military, civilian and humanitarian actors in managing complex crisis scenarios.

Innovation between start-ups and industry

With the Eurosatory LAB, the exhibition once again provides a platform for young technology companies. Around 60 international start-ups will present new approaches in areas such as artificial intelligence, resilient navigation, smart sensor technology, robotics, cybersecurity and innovative energy systems.

The innovation forum highlights that technological breakthroughs are increasingly emerging outside traditional defence companies. At the same time, it demonstrates how important cooperation between start-ups, industry, investors and government users has become for the development of future security solutions.

Eurosatory 2026 highlights the profound transformation processes within the international security and defence landscape. Technological innovations, geopolitical uncertainties and new forms of threat are changing the requirements placed on armed forces, security agencies and operators of critical infrastructure alike.

At the same time, the event demonstrates that security is increasingly understood as a task for society as a whole. Issues of cyber resilience, civil protection, industrial sovereignty and technological innovation capacity have long been an integral part of modern security strategies.

As such, Eurosatory functions not only as an international showcase for the defence industry, but increasingly also as a forum for discussing the strategic, technological and societal challenges that will shape the security architecture of the coming decades.