ADEX - Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition

History and growth

ADEX was established in 2014 as Azerbaijan sought to position itself as a regional hub for defence industry development, following significant investments in its domestic defence-industrial base. Each biennial edition has expanded its international footprint: the 2022 edition (4th) drew 208 exhibiting companies from 10 national groups and 8,967 visitors, with 33 military delegations from 33 countries; by the 2024 edition (5th), the show recorded 270 exhibitor-companies from 14 national groups, 9,304 visitors, and 53 international military delegations, indicators of its status as the primary regional platform for Caspian and South Caucasus defence engagement. The 2024 opening ceremony was led by Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence, who presided alongside senior ministry officials; that edition also marked the first time the Defence Ministry itself staged a dedicated booth, showcasing weapon systems for Special Forces and repair facility capabilities. A Startup track was introduced in recent editions to showcase innovation and emerging technology companies.

The 2026 edition: 6th edition in a strategic context

The 6th ADEX takes place 30 September to 2 October 2026 amid sustained growth in Azerbaijani defence spending and expanded regional influence following recent geopolitical developments. Working hours for visitors are: 30 September (Wednesday) 14:00-18:00; 1 October (Thursday) 10:00-18:00; 2 October (Friday) 10:00-17:00. As of verification, more than 150 companies from over 20 countries had confirmed participation, a scale organisers describe as record international interest for the show; national pavilions include Belarus, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, and close to 40 Turkish companies grouped under a dedicated Türkiye pavilion. Rheinmetall (Germany) and Sig Sauer (United States) are confirmed as debut exhibitors, alongside returning international names including Roketsan, Aselsan Elektronik, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (Türkiye), Leonardo (Italy), Excalibur Army (Czech Republic), EDGE Group (United Arab Emirates), and INDRA (Spain). Bahruz Hidayatzade, Executive Director of Caspian Event Organisers, said preparations were progressing at an active pace and that, with Securex Caspian running alongside, "the cybersecurity sector will be in the spotlight" at the 2026 edition. According to organisers, almost all exhibition halls at the Baku Expo Center had already been reserved months ahead of the show. The business programme is set to include panels on electronic countermeasures and AI applications in defence, plus a "National Military Industry Complex of the Future" startup showcase continuing the event's Startup track. International companies seeking access to Azerbaijani military leadership and procurement networks, or seeking introductions to the Ministry of Defence Industry, identify ADEX as the most efficient entry point.

Where ADEX sits in the defence calendar

ADEX occupies a unique position as the only internationally recognised defence exhibition in the Caspian region, alternating on a biennial cycle. It falls in late September/early October, in the autumn exhibition season, typically two weeks before or after other regional events. For companies targeting Central Asia, the Caucasus, and neighbouring markets, ADEX provides a concentration of decision-makers that cannot be accessed at larger Western European shows such as DSEI or Eurosatory. Companies building an EMEA defence circuit itinerary alongside ADEX also track the Tectonic European Defence Summit in Paris for the dual-use and venture-facing side of the market, and the AD2S Aerospace & Defence Support and Services exhibition for the MRO and support-services segment; the full regional calendar is tracked on the Defence circuit page, alongside the wider set of upcoming EMEA events.

Who attends ADEX

Military delegations from over 53 countries attended the 2024 edition, invited directly by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence Industry, a distinctive feature that gives exhibitors direct access to senior military procurement officials from across the region and beyond. Visitor profiles include military and defence ministry personnel, procurement officers, security and homeland protection officials, commercial buyers, researchers, and industry representatives. Products across navy, aviation, army, and homeland security categories are covered. The 2024 edition drew participants from 14 national groups; the 2026 edition has already confirmed participation from over 20 countries, including national pavilions from Belarus, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, and Türkiye.

What the ADEX format includes

ADEX is primarily a trade exhibition: companies display products and technologies across indoor and outdoor exhibition areas at the Baku Expo Center. An Events Programme includes panel discussions and presentations, with the 2026 business programme covering electronic countermeasures and AI applications in defence. A Startup zone showcases emerging technology ventures, continuing into a "National Military Industry Complex of the Future" showcase format for 2026. Official delegations from invited countries meet with exhibitors through structured sessions coordinated by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence Industry. A daily newspaper is published during the show. Press accreditation, stand reservation, cargo and delivery services, official hotel partners, and an official tour operator are all coordinated through the organiser portal. The 2026 edition also runs concurrently with Securex Caspian, its 15th edition, giving exhibitors and visitors combined access to both the defence and internal-security/cybersecurity halls under one visit.

What ADEX covers

Product and technology categories include: land vehicles and armoured systems; naval systems; aviation and unmanned aerial systems; small arms, ammunition, and infantry equipment; command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I); cybersecurity and electronic warfare; simulation and training; homeland security and border protection; logistics and support systems. For 2026, organiser and press materials additionally flag chemical, biological, and radiological (CBRN) defence, radio-electronic systems and C4ISR, weapons-manufacturing equipment, and weapons-disposal technologies as featured categories alongside the established list.

The 2024 edition in numbers (organiser-declared)

The 2026 edition in numbers (as confirmed at verification)

The venue: Baku Expo Center

Baku Expo Center is Azerbaijan's principal trade exhibition venue, located in the Narimanov district of Baku. It provides large indoor exhibition halls suited to heavy military equipment displays, with outdoor areas for larger platform demonstrations. The 2024 edition occupied 20,023 sq.m of exhibition area; for 2026, organisers report that almost all available halls were reserved by exhibitors months ahead of the show, reflecting the confirmed 150+ company, 20+ country participation. The venue is accessible from central Baku by taxi and public transport; Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is approximately 25 km from the city centre, with regular connections to major European, Middle Eastern, and CIS hubs. Visa requirements for Azerbaijan should be checked in advance; the official website maintains a visa regime guidance page.

The organiser: Caspian Event Organisers LLC

Caspian Event Organisers LLC (CEO) is an Azerbaijani event management company headquartered at Narimanov District, 61 Zaur Nudiraliyev Street, Baku 1075, Azerbaijan. Tel: +994 12 404 10 00. It organises ADEX on behalf of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence Industry and a portfolio of other sector-specific exhibitions in the Caspian region, including Securex Caspian. The company operates in cooperation with Iteca Caspian for other industry exhibitions. CEO can be contacted at ceo.az.

Bahruz Hidayatzade, Executive Director of Caspian Event Organisers, has confirmed publicly that preparations for the 2026 edition are progressing at an active pace, framing cybersecurity as a headline theme for 2026 given the concurrent Securex Caspian programme: "At this exhibition, the cybersecurity sector will be in the spotlight."

Press interest and media coverage

Coverage of ADEX 2026 splits across specialist defence press and Azerbaijani national outlets, based on confirmed examples rather than the organiser's full media partner list alone:

• Specialist defence trade press: outlets covering the global exhibition circuit have led on exhibitor scale and debut participants. Joint Forces News reported that ADEX 2026 "promises to be a distinguished platform for the region's defence industry" and detailed the confirmed national pavilions and debut exhibitors. C4Defence and Defensehere both covered the more-than-150-company, 20-plus-country confirmation, naming Rheinmetall and Sig Sauer as first-time exhibitors.
• Media partnership expansion: Defensehere was named a 2026 media partner, committing to deliver "comprehensive international coverage of the exhibition through its media platforms, including news reporting, interviews and on-site content from Baku throughout the event," an indicator of the show's growing specialist-press footprint beyond its home region.
• National press and government framing: Azerbaijani outlets have historically covered ADEX through the lens of state defence policy rather than trade-show logistics. Caliber.az reported on the 2024 opening ceremony led by Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defence, noting the Defence Ministry's own exhibition booth, its first at the show.

By outlet type, confirmed press coverage spans specialist defence trade media (Joint Forces News, C4Defence, Defensehere) and Azerbaijani national press (Caliber.az); the organiser's own media partner network additionally includes listed international defence and trade publications such as Arsenal Otechestva, Arabian Defence, Aero Magazine Asia, and Defence Fulcrum. Journalist accreditation counts and total press attendance figures are not publicly disclosed as of verification.

Edition history

• 2014: inaugural edition, establishing ADEX as Azerbaijan's flagship defence exhibition.
• 2022 (4th edition): 208 exhibiting companies from 10 national groups, 8,967 visitors, 33 military delegations from 33 countries.
• 2024 (5th edition): 270 exhibiting companies from 14 national groups, 9,304 visitors, 53 international military delegations, 20,023 sq.m exhibition area. Opening ceremony led by Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defence; first edition with a dedicated Defence Ministry booth.
• 2026 (6th edition): 30 September to 2 October 2026, Baku Expo Center. More than 150 companies from over 20 countries confirmed as of verification, including debut exhibitors Rheinmetall and Sig Sauer; final attendance and exhibition-area figures not yet published.

First time at ADEX? How to prepare

• Apply for your visa well in advance. Azerbaijan's e-Visa system is efficient but processing times vary; check the ADEX website's visa guidance page and allow at least 2-3 weeks before your travel date. Ensure your passport validity meets the required minimum.
• Reserve your stand or visitor pass early. With over 150 companies from more than 20 countries already confirmed for 2026 and organisers reporting almost all halls reserved months ahead, prime stand positions and B2B engagement windows fill early. Contact Caspian Event Organisers as soon as the reservation portal opens.
• Request meetings with delegations through the organiser. The official military delegations attend on Ministry invitation; the most efficient way to engage them is to flag your interest to Caspian Event Organisers in advance, who can facilitate introductions within the structured delegation programme.
• Attend the Events Programme sessions. Panel discussions and sector presentations at ADEX, including the 2026 tracks on electronic countermeasures and AI applications in defence, provide insight into Azerbaijani defence priorities and regional security dynamics that are difficult to obtain from public sources. They also create additional networking touchpoints with senior officials.
• Use the official hotel partners. Baku hotel availability during ADEX is constrained, particularly with Securex Caspian running the same three days. Book through the organiser's official partner list for competitive rates and proximity to the venue, and confirm your booking as soon as you register to exhibit or attend.
• Plan for the concurrent Securex Caspian programme. Visitors with an interest in cybersecurity and homeland security should budget time for both exhibitions; they share the Baku Expo Center over the same dates but run distinct programmes.