Nearly 3,000 guests from 35 countries are participating this week in Estonia’s first Estonian Defence Week, which brings together defence industry and security experts in Tallinn and Tartu.
Estonian Defence Week (EDW) began on Monday, 22 September, at the Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel) with opening remarks by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur on a day dedicated to defence innovation. The week also hosts the 19th Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD), which this year focuses on strengthening Europe’s military readiness and NATO’s collective defence.
“When planning, we hoped that perhaps 50 companies would participate. When the number of participation requests reached 80, we had to announce that we could not accommodate more this year.”
Andres Kase, Estonian Defence Week’s lead organiser
“Our goal was to create, alongside internationally renowned exhibitions such as DSEI and MSPO, an event that would bring together defence industry companies from this region and showcase above all the world-class innovation of Estonian defence industry companies,” said Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association. “The modest goals we set for the first year have already been exceeded several times over, and the international interest in Estonian Defence Week is remarkable.”
According to EDW’s lead organiser Andres Kase, over the course of five days, 3,000 security experts from 35 countries will attend events in Tallinn and Tartu, and the two-day exhibition will feature 80 local and international defence industry companies.
Estonia’s Defence Week exceeds expectations with 80 global participants
“When planning, we hoped that perhaps 50 companies would participate. When the number of participation requests reached 80, we had to announce that we could not accommodate more this year,” said Kase.
Of the 80 participating companies, around 60% are from Estonia. Among the major international participants are SAAB, Airbus, BlackBerry, Helsing and representatives of the German security and technology sector, who joined through the NRW.Global Business Initiative and other European cooperation networks.
“Our goal was to create, alongside internationally renowned exhibitions such as DSEI and MSPO, an event that would bring together defence industry companies from this region and showcase above all the world-class innovation of Estonian defence industry companies.”
Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association
On 25 September, several events will take place simultaneously at the Tallinn Creative Hub. In addition to the exhibition, the symposium “The Power of Disruption” will be held, focusing on the future of defence technology. Over the course of the day, 50 speakers will present, including Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for technological sovereignty, security, and democracy. More than 70 technology enthusiasts will also take part, tackling real-world security and defence challenges in a hackathon led by the European Defence Tech Hub.
The Baltic region’s largest Defence Week will conclude with a live demonstration of modern defence technologies at the Tartu Ülenurme airfield.
GOOD TO KNOW
- #1 in Global Cybersecurity index in the EU, Estonia is home to Cyber Defence Centre of Excellene, aglobally leading institution in cybersecurity research and training.
- 100% all Estonian defence companies are private, boasting a favourable business environment for international export with low taxes and efficient processes.
- 2/3 of Estonia defence industry’s output exported, exponential year-on-year growth with growing international demand.
- 3,21% of GDP investment commitment to NATO.
- Estonia is one of Ukraine’s key supporters since 2022, providing war aid exceeding over 1.4% of
GDP.
This content is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
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