Istanbul, May 5th – The SAHA 2026 Defence, Aerospace, and Space Industry Fair officially opens its doors today in Istanbul, poised to become a global showcase for Turkey’s rapidly advancing defence sector. Organized by SAHA Istanbul, the largest defence, aerospace, and space industry cluster in Turkey and Europe, the event is set to break records with the participation of over 1,700 companies from more than 120 countries.
Record-Breaking Participation and Ambitious Export Targets
The fair, which runs from May 5th to May 9th at the Istanbul Expo Center, will utilize a total indoor and outdoor area of 400,000 square meters, including a 20,000 square meter outdoor exhibition space. Organizers anticipate over 200,000 visitors and more than 30,000 industry professionals, with 263 international companies among the participants.
A key focus of SAHA 2026 is business development and strategic partnerships. Over 30,000 B2B meetings are planned, transforming the event from a mere exhibition into a dynamic platform for direct business development, supply chain matching, and fostering strategic alliances. The fair aims to increase the value of export contracts to at least $8 billion, a significant jump from the $6.2 billion achieved at SAHA 2024. This year will also see the introduction of 203 new products and the signing of 164 agreements, approximately three times the number of export-oriented deals from the previous fair.
Cutting-Edge Technologies and Autonomous Systems on Display
SAHA 2026 will feature a wide array of high-tech and game-changing new products, making their global debut. These include advanced unmanned systems and next-generation heavy weaponry, demonstrating the pinnacle of Turkish engineering. A dedicated area will showcase the latest autonomous vehicles developed in Turkey, such as unmanned ground vehicles and planetary rovers, which will demonstrate their capabilities on specially designed tracks.
Naval platforms will also be accessible to visitors, with Turkish Naval Forces ships, including the TCG Anadolu, the world’s first SİHA (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) ship, docked at Ataköy Marina and Sarayburnu Port. Indigenous unmanned marine vehicles will also be exhibited at Ataköy Marina. May 9th has been designated as a public day for SAHA 2026.
Turkish Defence Industry Unveils New Products
Several prominent Turkish defence companies will debut their latest innovations at SAHA 2026:
- Baykar: Will unveil the MIZRAK smart loitering munition, developed nationally and indigenously, boasting a range of over 1,000 kilometers and AI-powered autonomous capabilities. The K2 Kamikaze UAV and Sivrisinek loitering munition will also be showcased for the first time.
- ASELSAN: Will introduce five new products and new versions of six existing products, bringing future national technologies to the global defence ecosystem. The company will present new striking forces for the “blue homeland,” various technologies to enhance the ÇELİKKUBBE, and new systems set to revolutionize air assault.
- ROKETSAN and FNSS: Their collaborative ALKA-KAPLAN HYBRID Directed Energy Weapon System Platform, commonly known as the “laser weapon,” will be featured with additional capabilities. ROKETSAN will also introduce its newest and most advanced technological products.
- STM: Will exhibit its air and sea systems developed for modern warfare for the first time. Among the national technologies to be highlighted is the Long-Range Kamikaze UAV, an advanced version of the fixed-wing kamikaze UAV ALPAGU with increased range and payload capacity, an Interceptor UAV System offering an innovative approach to air defence, and a Mini Reconnaissance and Surveillance System providing instant intelligence and data flow.
International Engagement and Strategic Discussions
The fair will host over 140 official delegations, more than 800 official delegation members, and over 200 commercial procurement delegation representatives. The participation of more than 25 foreign ministers and numerous high-ranking military officials will further enhance the event’s international visibility and strategic impact.
Seventeen international panels, four “Space Talks” sessions, and keynote speeches will delve into the future of defence technologies, security architecture, industrial transformation, and new cooperation models. High-level visits from heads of state, ministers, chiefs of staff, and force commanders are expected, with direct meetings planned with participating companies to foster international collaborations.
A significant theme for SAHA 2026 is the investment ecosystem. International investment funds, financial institutions, strategic investors, as well as firms within the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and NATO DIANA Program, will be present. The event aims to support SMEs in accessing global markets, securing financing, and integrating into international collaborations. The space ecosystem is another key thematic focus, with a dedicated Space Pavilion and a specially designed Space Dome area to increase the visibility of space technologies.
