"Hemus 2026" Post-event Overview
The seventeenth edition of the HEMUS 2026 – Defence, Antiterrorism and Security International Exhibition was held from 3 to 6 June 2026 at the International Fair Plovdiv. Once again, the exhibition brought together representatives of the defence industry, government institutions, the armed forces, academia and international partners, providing a platform for showcasing advanced technologies, exchanging expertise and fostering professional cooperation.
A total exhibition area of 5 723 sq.m, including 4 168 sq.m of indoor and 1 555 sq.m of outdoor exhibition space, hosted 245 exhibitors – 107 Bulgarian and 138 international companies from 27 countries. The exhibition welcomed approximately 6,000 visitors and hosted 17 official foreign delegations, as well as representatives of international organisations, the diplomatic corps, government institutions, the armed forces, academia and industry.
Accompanying Events
As in previous editions, HEMUS 2026 featured a comprehensive programme of accompanying events aimed at promoting international cooperation, industrial development and innovation.
One of the highlights was the Industrial Forum entitled "Defence Capabilities, Industrial Capacity and the Role of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Defence Industry within the European and Allied Defence Ecosystem." Through three discussion panels, participants explored the development of European defence capabilities and funding mechanisms, the strengthening of industrial capacity and the integration of the Bulgarian defence industry into EU and NATO supply chains, as well as the role of innovation, start-ups and dual-use technologies in the future development of the defence sector.
Another key event was the 13th International Scientific Conference "Research, Technologies and Innovations for Defence and Security", which brought together representatives of academia, government institutions, industry and international organisations. The conference focused on innovation and emerging defence technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the implementation of advanced technological solutions for defence and security. Around 70 scientific papers were presented across several specialised thematic sessions.
For the first time, HEMUS also hosted dedicated start-up events, providing Bulgarian companies developing dual-use technologies with the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to industry representatives and investment funds.
Demonstrations
On 5 June 2026, the traditional live firing demonstrations were held at the Central Artillery Technical Test Range "Zmeyovo", where 20 defence products developed by leading Bulgarian manufacturers were showcased. The demonstrations attracted considerable interest from official delegations, exhibitors and visitors, once again highlighting the capabilities of the Bulgarian defence industry.
For the first time, organised drone demonstrations were also held on the grounds of the International Fair Plovdiv by the International Drone Defence Association (IDDA). The demonstrations featured start-up companies, members of the association and exhibitors at HEMUS 2026, presenting innovative solutions in the field of drone and counter-drone technologies.
In addition, the exhibition featured static displays of military equipment and defence systems, as well as dynamic demonstrations involving the Bulgarian Air Force and the Joint Special Operations Command.
Closing Ceremony
HEMUS 2026 concluded with an official closing ceremony, during which exhibitors were presented with commemorative plaques and certificates of participation in recognition of their contribution to the successful organisation of the exhibition.
The successful organisation of HEMUS 2026, the record number of exhibitors, the strong international participation and the extensive professional programme once again demonstrated the exhibition's importance as a meeting point for government institutions, industry, academia and business, and reaffirmed its position as a well-established platform for advancing cooperation in the fields of defence and security.
