IDET is Central Europe's premier biennial defence and security exhibition, held every two years at the Brno Exhibition Centre (BVV) in the Czech Republic. The 19th edition runs 26-28 May 2027, co-located with the PYROS firefighting fair and the ISET security technology fair. It brings together more than 650 companies from 35 countries, military delegations from over 50 nations, and more than 35,000 visitors, positioning Brno as a key node in the NATO defence-industrial calendar.
IDET (International Defence and Security Technologies Fair) is a biennial business-to-business defence and security fair organised by BVV Trade Fairs Brno at the Brno Exhibition Centre in the Czech Republic. It takes place every odd year in May and has been held since 1993. The next edition, the 19th, is scheduled for 26-28 May 2027. IDET is specifically designed as a pro-export platform for the Czech and Central European defence and security sector, attracting exhibiting companies from across NATO member states, military delegations, procurement officials, and security technology buyers from across the globe.
IDET was first held in 1993, two years after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, as part of a broader strategy to position the newly independent Czech Republic's defence industry on the international market. Over its three-decade history, the fair has grown from a predominantly domestic showcase into one of the most internationally attended defence events in Central and Eastern Europe. It has consistently attracted the patronage of the Czech President, government, Ministry of Defence, and General Staff, and has gradually expanded to include co-located events -- PYROS (firefighting equipment) and ISET (security technology and services) -- that together present the full spectrum of the Czech integrated rescue and security system.
The 2025 edition (18th IDET, 28-30 May 2025) set new records in almost every measurable dimension: 650+ exhibiting companies from 35 countries, over 35,000 visitors, and military delegations from a record 52 countries. Czech President Petr Pavel delivered the opening address. Major contract signings at the fair included three Lockheed Martin industrial-cooperation agreements with Czech companies in the context of the F-35A acquisition programme, and the establishment of the Roshel CZ joint venture for localised production of Senator armoured vehicles. The 2027 edition will continue these themes. A Space Defence and Startup zone, introduced in 2025, is expected to return. BVV has confirmed dates of 26-28 May 2027.
IDET occupies a unique position as the only major defence exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe specifically structured as an export platform for the Czech defence industry. It sits in the late-spring slot, filling a gap between MSPO (Poland, September) and Eurosatory (France, biennial, June). Its biennial cadence and NATO-country location make it a natural complement to DSEI (London, September) and a regional counterpart to EDEX or MSPO for buyers focused on the CEE industrial base.
Exhibitors at IDET are predominantly Czech and Slovak defence manufacturers, joined by companies from Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and increasingly from non-European NATO partners. The 2025 edition saw India open its first official exhibition pavilion at the fair, and Ukraine was represented for the first time as an award-winning exhibitor. The largest single exhibitor is the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic and the Czech Army, which fields a major recruitment and equipment exposition. Visitors are mainly procurement officials, military staff officers, and security professionals. Government delegations, including ministers of defence, chiefs of staff, and senior acquisition officials, are a defining feature: delegations from over 52 countries attended the 2025 edition, and 286 foreign journalists from 12 countries were accredited.
IDET is structured around a large indoor exhibition across BVV's halls, featuring static displays of vehicles, weapons systems, electronics, communication systems, surveillance technologies, and protective equipment. An outdoor IDET ARENA provides a dedicated off-road polygon for dynamic live demonstrations of military, firefighting, and police equipment. The Space Defence and Startup zone, introduced in 2025, provides a focused platform for dual-use technology and emerging companies. Co-located with IDET are PYROS (firefighting and rescue technology) and ISET (security technology and services), enabling a single-visit overview of the Czech integrated security and rescue ecosystem. Expert conferences run throughout the fair, including the International Conference on Military Technology and International Conference Defence & Strategy, both organised by the University of Defence.
Key technology themes include: armoured vehicles and ground systems, weapons and ammunition, unmanned systems and drones, C4ISR and communication, cyber and electronic warfare, space defence, 3D/additive manufacturing, air defence systems, firefighting and civil protection, and occupational health and safety (via ISET). The 2025 edition introduced dedicated focus areas on 3D-ARMY technologies and the operational use of AI in air defence.
| Exhibiting companies | 650+ |
| Exhibitor countries | 35 |
| Visitors (all three fairs combined) | 35,000+ |
| Military delegations (countries) | 52 (record) |
| Accredited media representatives | 286 from 12 countries |
| GOLD IDET innovation awards | 4 |
| Edition number | 18th |
IDET is a professional trade fair. Tickets are available for purchase, and certain days or sessions are restricted to accredited trade visitors and military/government delegations. Visitors are advised to check current access conditions on the BVV website ahead of the event.
The official languages are Czech and English. Most exhibitors and BVV staff communicate in both. International pavilions typically operate in English and the exhibiting country's language.
The fair does not operate a formal structured matchmaking platform equivalent to those at larger shows. However, BVV provides an online i-Catalogue ahead of the event and exhibitors use the three-day programme to schedule bilateral meetings. Government-to-government and procurement meetings are arranged through national delegations.
The Brno Exhibition Centre (BVV), located at Vystaviste 1, 647 00 Brno, Czech Republic, is one of the largest exhibition complexes in Central Europe, covering over 260,000 sqm of exhibition area. IDET occupies both indoor halls and an outdoor polygon (IDET ARENA). The venue is accessible by tram from Brno city centre (approximately 15 minutes) and by car from the D1 and D2 motorways. Brno-Turany Airport offers domestic and some international connections; Vienna International Airport (approximately 130 km) provides broader international access. Ample on-site parking is available.
BVV Trade Fairs Brno (Veletrhy Brno, a.s.) is a state-linked joint-stock company founded in 1928, owned by the City of Brno and the South Moravian Region. It organises more than 30 trade fairs annually, including the International Engineering Fair (MSV), and acts as the regional representative of Messe Dusseldorf. BVV has organised IDET since its first edition in 1993 and provides the full exhibitor services infrastructure including stand construction, accreditation, media centre, and on-site logistics. CEO: Jan Kubata.
IDET's combination of record-breaking Czech Army participation, 52-country military delegations, and live outdoor demonstrations of armoured vehicles and drones makes it the most operationally credible defence fair in the Central European time zone -- worth a visit for any buyer or supplier focused on NATO's eastern flank.
Exhibitors apply online via the BVV exhibitor portal at https://www.bvv.cz/en/idet/for-exhibitors. Pricing is based on stand size and type; BVV publishes price terms for exhibitors on the website. Visitor tickets are available for purchase on-site or online; pricing for the 2027 edition is not yet disclosed. Press and media accreditation is handled through the IDET press centre.
The Czech Republic is a Schengen Area member. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and most Western countries do not require a visa. Visitors from countries requiring a Schengen visa should apply at the Czech embassy in their home country well in advance and may request an official invitation letter from BVV.
Yes. Brno is approximately 200 km from Prague and is served by frequent express trains (journey time approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) and buses. The exhibition centre is accessible from the city centre by tram (lines 1 and 2 to the Vystaviste stop).
BVV provides an accommodation booking service through its website. Brno offers a wide range of hotels at various price points. Visitors are advised to book early, as Brno accommodates multiple large fairs simultaneously in the May period.
| Official website | https://www.bvv.cz/en/idet |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/veletrhy-brno-a-s-/ | |
| X | not disclosed |
| Register / tickets | https://www.bvv.cz/en/idet/for-visitors |
| Programme | https://www.bvv.cz/en/idet/news |