Five defence tech events in July 2025

July is typically the quietest month for business activity, with few industry events taking place — and the defence tech ecosystem is no exception. Still, Defender Media has selected five notable events worth following this month.

You can find the full list in our events calendar, curated together with Techosystem Defense. The calendar now includes a convenient option to add events directly to your Google Calendar.

ASD-Connect Platform: Integrating Ukraine’s defence industry into the European ecosystem

Where: online (Zoom)
When: July 7
Price: free

The Ukrainian Association of Arms Manufacturers invites domestic defence production companies to an online presentation of ASD-Connect — a new digital tool enabling direct collaboration with European partners.

ASD (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe) is a leading industry association representing over 3,000 aerospace, defence, and security companies across Europe. ASD initiated the development of ASD-Connect to provide Ukrainian manufacturers with direct, secure, and efficient access to the European industrial network.

The agenda includes:

• Presentation of the platform’s features
• Interaction formats available for Ukrainian companies
• Step-by-step instructions for participation and registration
• Q&A session

Uncrewed Naval Systems 2025

Where: Lindon, UK
When: July 15-16 
Price: from 600 pounds

Uncrewed Naval Systems (UNS) are becoming indispensable for modern navies, addressing the rapidly escalating geopolitical threats and challenges in regions such as the Indo-Pacific, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

In response to this dynamic and volatile geopolitical landscape, UNS 2025 will explore the deployment of these systems to enhance capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, mine-countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

With the market demand for platforms like uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) projected to soar from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $2.5 billion by 2034, driven by technological advancements and evolving defense strategies, the need for uncrewed naval platforms, sensors, navigation systems, and artificial intelligence is at an all-time high.

European Defense Tech Hackathon – Sheffield

Where: Sheffield, UK
When: July 18–20
Price: free for the teams, visiting demo day – from 20 pounds 

Another European Defense Tech Hackathon is set to take place in Sheffield, UK. The event will bring together over 100 hackers, government representatives, investors, and dual-use tech developers. Organisers are calling on teams that already have solutions in progress or are ready to respond to specific challenges announced at the start of the hackathon. Participants will receive direct feedback from people with frontline experience and support to move their ideas toward real-world implementation.

To help teams stay fully focused, visitors will not be admitted during the first two days. A public demo day is scheduled for 20 July, where attendees can see what the teams have built.

AI Data Jam hackathon

Where: Kyiv, UNIT.City
Where: July 26-27
Price: free for the teams

The AI Data Jam Hackathon focuses on engaging experienced engineers in building high-performance AI models capable of automatically detecting explosive objects in drone imagery. The winning team will receive a $2000 cash prize.

DEF.Talks – Transformation of Identity: Life After the Pixel

Where: Kyiv, UNIT.City
When: July 30
Price: free for combatants. To get a ticket, please email ecosystem@unit.city

DEF.Talks gathers leading experts from the defence sector to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities, creating a unique space for professional growth and networking – especially in the context of strategically important high-tech solutions.

On 30 July, a meetup titled “Transformation of Identity: Life After the Pixel” will feature veterans of the Ukraine-Russia war. The discussion will focus on how technology helps veterans transition from military to civilian identity, preserving what matters and opening new opportunities.

Event partner – Milzo. Media partner – Defender Media.