The International Defence, Aerospace, and Space Industry Exhibition, “SAHA 2026”, concluded its activities in Istanbul, Türkiye, following five days of intensive events held from May 5-9, 2026. The exhibition attracted more than 150,000 visitors and official delegations from over 75 countries, while defence export contracts signed during the event approached a total value of $8 billion.
Recognised as the largest gathering for the defence, aerospace, and space industries in Türkiye and Europe, SAHA 2026 reflected the rapid advancement of the Turkish defence sector through the extensive participation of local and international companies, alongside the showcase of the latest defence systems, advanced technologies, and integrated solutions.
The exhibition was held across an indoor area spanning 400,000 square metres and brought together leading experts, military officials, industry specialists, and international delegations from around the world.
The next edition of SAHA is scheduled to take place in Istanbul from May 16-20, 2028.
Distinguished UAE Participation
The exhibition witnessed a strong presence from Emirati companies, which showcased their latest defence technologies and reinforced their position among the leading players in the global defence industry.
The UAE National Pavilion at SAHA 2026 welcomed more than 5,750 visitors, during the exhibition. The pavilion was organised with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, and coordinated by ADNEC Group, part of Modon, serving as a national platform for UAE companies to showcase advanced defence solutions and strengthen engagement with international defence partners.
The UAE Pavilion received several high-level military and defence delegations from various countries, in addition to representatives from Turkish and international defence companies.
Meetings focused on exploring opportunities for joint cooperation and exchanging expertise in defence industries and advanced technologies, further strengthening strategic partnerships between the UAE and participating countries.
Emirati companies also held more than 418 meetings with international defence firms and specialised entities, focusing on joint projects, technology transfer, and the establishment of long-term partnerships in defence manufacturing and advanced technologies.
Platform for Strengthening Defence Partnerships
The pavilion featured several leading national entities in the defence and aerospace sectors, including Tawazun Council, EDGE Group, Generation 5, and AAL Group.
These entities showcased integrated defence solutions across land, air, and maritime domains, reflecting the UAE’s growing presence and advancing role within the global defence innovation landscape.
Al Jundi Journal participated in covering the exhibition and the UAE National Pavilion, providing comprehensive media coverage of the event and highlighting the UAE’s presence at this major international specialised platform.
Tawazun Council Supports Defence Sector Competitiveness
Tawazun Council worked to unify the efforts of national companies under a single national pavilion to support the competitiveness of the UAE defence sector and strengthen its presence in global markets.
The council also focused on facilitating bilateral meetings with international defence companies and institutions, exploring opportunities for joint manufacturing, technology transfer, and defence supply chain development, while highlighting the UAE’s national capabilities and advanced industrial expertise.
EDGE Showcases Advanced Defence Systems
EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, highlighted its extensive understanding of the security requirements across Türkiye and the surrounding region by showcasing its latest smart weapons systems, air defence solutions, and electronic warfare technologies.
Among the systems presented were the long-range precision-guided AL TARIQ-LR munitions, the cost-effective THUNDER series, the DESERT STING family, the MANSUP-ER anti-ship missile, and the rapidly deployable SHADOW loitering munition systems.
The group also showcased the Skynex SKYKNIGHT air defence system and the SKYSHIELD QD counter-UAS system, in addition to advanced electronic warfare solutions, including the ACTIVECELL-SAR mobile signal tracking system and the GPS-PROTECT 4 anti-jamming system designed to protect satellite navigation systems across multiple platforms.
Advanced Manufacturing and Aviation Support Solutions
Generation 5 showcased its advanced defence manufacturing capabilities and integrated solutions model, highlighting its approach covering research and development, manufacturing, testing, integration, and full lifecycle support. The company emphasised how this integrated model accelerates development cycles and enhances sustainable operational readiness.
The company also reinforced its growing international presence, with a focus on knowledge exchange, strategic partnerships, and showcasing national technological innovations.
Meanwhile, AAL Group, specialised in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for rotary-wing aircraft, presented a comprehensive portfolio of services including maintenance, technical support, logistics, training, upgrades, and mission development tailored to operational requirements.
The company also highlighted its expertise in customised upgrade programmes designed to meet client operational needs, with an emphasis on delivering reliable and cost-effective solutions that enhance global fleet readiness.
Promoting IDEX and NAVDEX 2027
The UAE National Pavilion also served as a platform to promote upcoming defence events, most notably the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), both scheduled to take place in 2027.
Capital Events, the event management arm of ADNEC Group, held a series of specialised meetings with international exhibitors and defence industry leaders to discuss participation in the upcoming editions of the two exhibitions.
Coverage by: Razi Izzeddin Elhadmi
