PARTNER is the International Fair of Armaments and Military Equipment, held biennially at Belgrade Fair under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia. The 13th edition is planned for September 2027 in Belgrade. The event gathers domestic and international manufacturers of weapons and military equipment, military delegations, procurement authorities, and government representatives, serving as the primary defence industrial showcase for Serbia and the broader Western Balkans region.
PARTNER is Serbia's national and the region's largest international defence exhibition, held every two years at the Belgrade Fair, a trade fair complex with over 80 years of history at Bulevar Vojvode Misica 14, Belgrade. The event is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, co-organised by Yugoimport-SDPR (state-controlled defence exporter and integrator), and hosted by Belgrade Fair. The 12th edition took place 23-26 September 2025; the 13th edition (PARTNER 2027) is planned for September 2027. PARTNER is comparable in regional significance to IDEX, Eurosatory, DSA, and DSEI according to organisers, and is described as the leading armament and military equipment exhibition in South-East Europe.
PARTNER was established in the 1990s and has been held at Belgrade Fair since its first editions. The exhibition reflects Serbia's tradition as a significant defence manufacturing nation, rooted in the Yugoslav-era military-industrial complex inherited through Yugoimport-SDPR and multiple domestic manufacturers of armoured vehicles, artillery, ammunition, small arms, and electronics. Over successive editions, PARTNER grew from a domestic showcase into a genuinely international event attracting companies and delegations from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Its biennial cycle and Belgrade Fair infrastructure provide a stable institutional framework.
The 13th PARTNER International Defence Exhibition is planned for September 2027 at Belgrade Fair. Specific dates within September 2027 had not been confirmed at time of verification (June 2026). The organisational framework follows established practice: Ministry of Defence patronage and co-organisation, Yugoimport-SDPR as co-organiser, and Belgrade Fair as host. The exhibition will present the scientific, research, experimental, repair, and educational capabilities of Serbian defence institutions alongside the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces, attracting both domestic manufacturers and international companies and agencies seeking commercial, scientific, and technical cooperation.
PARTNER occupies a September slot in odd years (2023, 2025, 2027), which places it in proximity to MSPO Kielce (Poland, annual) and DSEI London (biennial, odd years). For companies covering NATO's south-east flank and the Western Balkans, PARTNER is the primary annual touchpoint, complementing participation at larger Western European shows. Serbia's position as an EU candidate country with active NATO partnership relationships but also independent defence export relationships (particularly in Asia and Africa) gives PARTNER a diverse and sometimes geopolitically complex exhibitor and visitor profile.
The exhibition attracts domestic and international manufacturers and suppliers of armaments and military equipment; government and military representatives from Serbia and partner nations; procurement officers from regional armed forces; defence attaches and military delegations from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond; scientific and research institutions; and media representatives. The Ministry of Defence's stated objective for PARTNER is to present Serbian defence capabilities and to facilitate commercial, scientific, and technical cooperation and collaboration internationally. Yugoimport-SDPR's involvement ensures that the exhibition also functions as a direct conduit for Serbian state defence export promotion.
PARTNER combines an indoor exhibition across Belgrade Fair's halls with an outdoor equipment display. The indoor exhibition covers the full product range of participating companies. Outdoor areas accommodate larger platforms: armoured vehicles, artillery systems, patrol boats, and other heavy equipment. The exhibition includes a media and public day, enabling broader visibility for the displayed systems. A conference and panel programme addresses regional security and defence industry trends. Official opening ceremonies attended by the President of Serbia, the Defence Minister, and foreign dignitaries are a prominent feature. The exhibition also serves as a venue for bilateral government and military meetings.
| Most recent edition | 12th PARTNER, 23-26 September 2025 |
| Next edition | 13th PARTNER, September 2027 (dates TBC) |
| Periodicity | Biennial |
| Venue gross area | 100,000 m2 (Belgrade Fair total) |
| Visitor figures (2025) | not disclosed |
| Exhibitor figures (2025) | not disclosed |
No. PARTNER is an international exhibition. Organisers describe it as comparable to IDEX, Eurosatory, DSA, and DSEI in terms of international scope. Companies and delegations from Western Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia regularly attend and exhibit. The Serbian Ministry of Defence's involvement and Yugoimport-SDPR's international trading relationships ensure a wide international participation.
Yes. PARTNER is open to both state-owned and private manufacturers and suppliers of armaments, military equipment, and related services. Exhibitor registration is managed through the official website (partner.rs/en/exhibitors) and requires the approval of the co-organisers.
Serbia is an EU candidate country and has a Partnership for Peace relationship with NATO, but it is not a NATO member. This means PARTNER does not function as a NATO supply chain event in the way that MSPO or DSEI do. However, Serbia's independent defence procurement and export relationships, combined with its geographic position, make PARTNER an event where Western, Russian, Chinese, and other supplier ecosystems can intersect in ways that are not possible at NATO-aligned shows. Companies should be aware of applicable export control regulations.
Belgrade Fair, Bulevar Vojvode Misica 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. The fairground covers approximately 100,000 m2 of gross exhibition area, comprising multiple indoor halls and outdoor spaces suitable for heavy equipment display. Belgrade is served by Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) with direct European connections. The city is accessible by road from Budapest (approximately 3 hours), Zagreb (approximately 4.5 hours), Sofia (approximately 4.5 hours), and Sarajevo (approximately 3 hours). Rail connections link Belgrade to major regional cities. The Belgrade Fair is located in the Savski Venac municipality, approximately 4 km from the city centre.
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia is the primary institutional sponsor and co-organiser, providing official patronage, coordinating Serbian Armed Forces participation, and facilitating foreign government delegation protocols. Yugoimport-SDPR J.P. is Serbia's state-owned defence import-export company and a regional leader in the production, integration, and promotion of arms and military equipment; it has co-organised every edition of PARTNER. Belgrade Fair (sajam.rs) is the host venue operator and technical co-organiser, managing hall allocation, logistics, and infrastructure. Enquiries can be directed to partner@sajam.rs or partner@mod.gov.rs.
PARTNER is the Balkans' strategic hub for arms and military equipment, uniquely positioned at the intersection of NATO, EU, and non-Western supply chains in a country pursuing both Euro-Atlantic integration and independent defence export.
Visitor and exhibitor accreditation for PARTNER is managed through the official online accreditation portal (akreditacija.partner.rs). Registration for PARTNER 2027 is not yet open as of June 2026. Exhibitor fees and visitor access conditions follow the registration policies set by Belgrade Fair and the Ministry of Defence co-organisers; pricing is not disclosed publicly and is available on request from the organiser. Media accreditation follows a separate process on the same portal. Contact: partner@sajam.rs or partner@mod.gov.rs.
Serbia has a relatively open visa policy for EU, US, UK, and many other nationals, allowing stays without a visa for tourism and business purposes. Check the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality. Defence exhibitions sometimes have additional clearance requirements; consult your company's security or export control team before attending.
The exhibition is conducted in Serbian (Cyrillic and Latin script) and English. Major sessions and official events have interpretation. Most international exhibitors communicate in English. Signage is typically bilingual.
The PARTNER accreditation portal typically opens several months before the event. Follow the official website (partner.rs/en) and the Belgrade Fair calendar (sajam.rs) for registration opening announcements.
| Official website | https://www.partner.rs/en |
| not disclosed | |
| X | not disclosed |
| Register | https://akreditacija.partner.rs/ |
| Programme | not disclosed |