Turkey Scales Record-Breaking SAHA EXPO 2026

The international defence and aerospace sector is shifting its gaze toward Istanbul as the SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition prepares to host a record-breaking assembly. Scheduled to take place from 5 to 9 May 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Centre, the event is positioned as a pivotal hub for the convergence of European and Asian industrial capabilities. Organisers have confirmed that the upcoming edition will span more than 100,000 square metres of exhibition space, accommodating over 1,500 exhibitors from approximately 120 countries. This expansion reflects the rapid trajectory of the Turkish defence ecosystem, which now boasts a domestic production rate exceeding 80 per cent and an annual turnover surpassing US$20 billion.

​Strategic interest in the 2026 event is particularly high across the Asia-Pacific region, where Turkish firms have recently secured landmark contracts. This regional focus follows a trend of heightened cooperation, exemplified by recent Japanese evaluations of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the Pakistani Navy’s ongoing frigate programmes. The exhibition aims to facilitate over 25,000 bilateral business meetings, providing a critical platform for Asia-Pacific delegations to engage directly with Turkish "solution partners" rather than mere suppliers. This collaborative ethos is expected to drive significant trade volume, aiming to exceed the US$6.2 billion in business transactions recorded during the previous 2024 edition.

​According to official press releases from SAHA Istanbul and reports from the Daily Sabah and others, the 2026 fair will feature dedicated thematic zones focused on disruptive technologies, including the Space Dome and the SAHA UGV Challenge. These reports highlight that the event is held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, underscoring its national importance. Industry commentators note that the inclusion of NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) events within the fair's framework further cements Istanbul's role as a bridge for dual-use technology transfer between Eastern and Western military alliances.

​Technological innovation and space-grade platforms

​The technological heart of the exhibition will reside in its specialized pavilions, which are set to showcase more than 300 new products, many making their global debut. These include advancements in unmanned systems, autonomous ground vehicles, and space-grade platforms. The Space Dome, a signature feature of the 2026 event, will host the SAHA Rover Challenge, focusing on the design of autonomous space vehicles. This emphasis on the final frontier aligns with Turkey's broader national space programme, offering international partners from the Asia-Pacific and beyond an opportunity to collaborate on high-endurance orbital and planetary exploration technologies.

​Strategic partnerships and regional security

​Beyond hardware, SAHA EXPO 2026 serves as a diplomatic instrument for reinforcing regional security through industrial cooperation. High-profile signing ceremonies are expected to mark new agreements between Turkish giants and international entities. Recent momentum in this area is significant; for instance, the Turkish defence firm Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) recently signed an agreement on 12 February 2026 for the joint production of the MKE TOLGA short-range air defence system in the Middle East. Such models of technology transfer and joint manufacturing are precisely what Turkish officials intend to replicate with Asia-Pacific partners during the May summit.

​Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of SAHA Istanbul, emphasised the strategic shift in Turkey’s industrial role during a recent briefing: “Türkiye is at the heart of global defence transformation. SAHA 2026 is a strategic platform for cooperation and technology transfer. We are here not as a market, but as a solution partner.” This sentiment was echoed in official statements from the exhibition organisers, who noted that the event is “more than a trade show—it is a strategic convergence of innovation, diplomacy, and industrial capability,” aimed at reinforcing Turkey’s role as a “reliable partner in the global defence and aerospace supply chain.”