After a landmark first edition, Estonian Defence Week returns to Tallinn this September with a bigger programme.
Estonian DefenceTech industry is only getting bigger and gathering more attention. For this autumn, mark your calendars, as Estonian Defence Week (EDW) is back for its second edition, running September 21–25, 2026, at Kultuurikatel, in Tallinn.
Bigger, bolder, and more international than ever, EDW 2026 will bring together 3500 defence experts, innovators, investors, and policymakers from across Estonia and abroad for five days of high-level discussion, cutting-edge showcases, and cross-border collaboration.
What’s in store for defence
The week kicks off on September 21 with Defence Innovation Day — a full-day programme of keynotes, panels, and startup pitch sessions putting the spotlight on the most promising defence and dual-use technologies.
On September 22, the Symposium will convene security experts from 30 countries, running in parallel with a hackathon where 60+ participants tackle real-world defence challenges.
The Baltic Defence Conference (ABCD) follows, now in its landmark 20th edition, bringing together policymakers, military officials, and analysts to debate transatlantic and regional security.
The week closes with the Tallinn Defence EXPO (September 24–25), assembling 100 leading defence companies under one roof.
A strong first chapter
Last year’s inaugural edition set a high bar. The 2025 Symposium, themed “The Power of Disruption”, offered a deep dive into the technological future of defence, while Defence Innovation Day drew investors and startups exploring breakthrough funding models and NATO alliance collaboration.
The 19th Annual Baltic Conference on Defence tackled Europe’s growing security imperatives under the theme “Enemy at the Gates: Turning Europe into a Fortress” — a conversation that feels more urgent than ever.
The Tallinn Defence EXPO and the Hack Day rounded out a week that proved Estonia’s place at the centre of European defence innovation.
Tech showcase at Tallinn Defence Expo in 2025. Photo by Tallinn Defence EXPO
Join us
Whether you’re a defence startup seeking investment, an established company exploring new markets, or a policymaker shaping the future of European security — EDW 2026 is where you need to be. Stay tuned for registration details and programme announcements.
Estonian Defence Week 2026 is organised by the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, ICDS, NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator, Tangent Link, and the European Defence Tech Hub.
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