EDIF 2026 takes place in The Hague on 11-12 November: why it’s worth attending

In November 2026, The Hague will host the European Defence Innovation Forum (EDIF) for the second time. The organisers expect more than 1,000 representatives of the public sector, defence industry, investors and the defence technology community. Defender Media is a media partner of the event.

Participants from Ukraine, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Latvia, as well as other European NATO countries and partner states, will attend the forum.

This year, the programme will be expanded. In addition to the main discussions, it will include:

• a defence technology exhibition;
• dedicated industry sessions;
• a start-up competition;
• B2B meetings;
• direct meetings between government representatives, manufacturers, investors and technology companies.

Over two days, participants will discuss defence cooperation in Europe, the development of the defence industry, investment in defence technology and the transition of new technologies from research to practical deployment.

The programme will pay particular attention to Ukraine’s experience. Participants will discuss how technologies and approaches proven under combat conditions can be applied to European defence.

The programme will cover cybersecurity and AI, ground unmanned systems, space technologies and ISR, UAV production and deployment, ammunition production and air defence.

More than 50 Ukrainian and European defence companies will showcase their developments at EDIF 2026. One manufacturer is also planning to unveil a new defence product at the forum. The organisers will announce further details closer to the event.

The programme will also include B2B meetings with companies, investors and public-sector representatives.

Details and registration: defenceinnovations.eu