Europe's premier conference for optical and photonic technologies applied to security and defence, held annually in Edinburgh as part of the SPIE Sensors + Imaging week. The 2026 edition runs from 14 to 17 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, combining peer-reviewed technical paper sessions on sensing, optronics, quantum science, AI and signal analysis with a free two-day exhibition where companies showcase sensors, detectors, lasers and imaging equipment.
SPIE Security + Defence is the leading European conference for engineers and scientists working on optical, photonic, sensing and quantum technologies applied to security and defence systems. It is organised by SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, and held annually in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, as one of the conferences within the SPIE Sensors + Imaging week. The 2026 edition runs from 14 to 17 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). The event combines a formal peer-reviewed conference structure -- with submitted and reviewed technical papers presented in sessions -- with a free two-day exhibition where companies and research organisations display related products and technologies. A second major conference, SPIE Environmental Remote Sensing, runs concurrently under the same Sensors + Imaging umbrella, providing an additional dimension of cross-disciplinary exchange.
SPIE was founded in 1955 as the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and has grown into the world's largest optics and photonics organisation, with more than 255,000 members from 183 countries. It produces dozens of conferences and publications annually, including the flagship SPIE Defense + Security conference in Orlando, Florida (typically held in spring), and the European-focused SPIE Security + Defence in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh event has been held for over a decade and has established itself as the principal European peer venue for the optics and photonics community working on defence and security applications, complementing the larger US event with a focus on European research, funding programmes and industry.
The 2026 SPIE Security + Defence takes place from 14 to 17 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Conference sessions cover the core technical areas of the field, with particular prominence in 2026 given to developments in electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems, quantum sensing and quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning for security applications, autonomous systems and robotics, advanced signal and data analysis, target and background signatures, laser systems and optical countermeasures, and national and European funding programmes for defence and security research. The co-located SPIE Environmental Remote Sensing conference adds remote sensing and earth observation papers to the programme, creating a broader sensing community. The free two-day exhibition, integrated within the conference schedule, allows technology companies to display sensors, detectors, cameras, lasers, imaging systems and related equipment to an audience of researchers and industry specialists.
SPIE Security + Defence occupies the September slot in the European technical conference calendar, distinct in character from the large trade exhibitions (DSEI, Eurosatory, MSPO) that dominate the same period. It is a scientific conference first and an exhibition second, attracting a community of engineers, physicists and applied scientists rather than procurement and business development professionals. This positioning makes it complementary to rather than competitive with the trade shows. For photonics, sensing and quantum technology companies with defence applications, Edinburgh provides the European academic and industrial research audience that trade exhibitions do not.
The conference draws engineers and scientists from university research groups, national laboratories, defence research agencies (including DSTL in the United Kingdom, DGA in France, Fraunhofer institutes in Germany and equivalents across Europe), and companies operating in the sensors, imaging, lasers, EO/IR and quantum technology sectors. Government representatives from defence R&D funding bodies also attend, making it a useful event for companies seeking European and national grant funding intelligence. The exhibition attracts a similar professional profile: it is not a general public event.
SPIE Security + Defence is structured around technical paper sessions running across four days. Submitted papers are reviewed by programme chairs and committee members before acceptance; accepted papers are published in the SPIE Digital Library, providing a citable record. Sessions are organised by technical topic, with each session chaired by a specialist from the field. Keynote and plenary addresses from leading researchers or programme managers open the conference. The accompanying two-day exhibition is free to attend and runs in parallel with conference sessions, providing an opportunity for attendees to examine commercial products. Poster sessions and networking events supplement the formal programme.
Technical scope includes: electro-optical and infrared systems; target and background signatures; image and signal processing; quantum sensing and quantum technologies for defence; artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to security and intelligence; radar and multi-modal sensing; laser systems and high-power lasers; optical countermeasures and directed energy; autonomous systems and robotics; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection; remote sensing and earth observation (via co-located conference); and European and national R&D funding programmes for security and defence research.
| Conference duration | 4 days (14-17 September) |
| Exhibition | 2 days (free admission) |
| Co-located conference | SPIE Environmental Remote Sensing |
| Venue | EICC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Papers | not disclosed for 2026 |
| Attendance | not disclosed |
SPIE Security + Defence is primarily a peer-reviewed scientific and engineering conference. Submitted papers are reviewed and accepted on technical merit. The attached free two-day exhibition provides a commercial dimension, but the audience profile and programme structure are those of a learned society conference rather than a trade fair.
SPIE Defense + Security in Orlando, Florida is the larger, US-focused annual event in the same family. SPIE Security + Defence in Edinburgh is the European equivalent, with a similar technical scope but oriented toward European research, European funding programmes and European industry. Many researchers and companies attend both events in the same year.
The call for papers for 2026 papers is managed through the SPIE website (spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/sensors-and-imaging/programme/browse-the-call-for-papers). Deadlines for abstract and paper submission vary by conference track and are published on the official call for papers page. Accepted papers are published in SPIE proceedings and indexed in the SPIE Digital Library.
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is located at 150 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EE, United Kingdom. It is a purpose-built convention centre in the west end of Edinburgh city centre, well served by public transport including Haymarket railway station (approximately 300 metres) and multiple bus routes. Edinburgh Airport is approximately 30 minutes by tram (Edinburgh Trams line from the airport to the city centre). The EICC provides flexible conference and exhibition space across multiple halls and breakout rooms, with capacity for large plenary sessions and parallel technical tracks. Edinburgh is a major international conference destination with a wide range of hotels in the city centre and across the wider metropolitan area.
SPIE (The International Society for Optics and Photonics) is a not-for-profit learned society founded in 1955, headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest professional organisation dedicated to optics and photonics, with more than 255,000 members from 183 countries. SPIE produces over 450 scientific conferences and exhibitions per year, publishes Optics and Photonics News and the SPIE Digital Library (one of the largest repositories of optics and photonics research), and manages fellowship, scholarship and educational programmes. SPIE Security + Defence Edinburgh is one of its flagship European events, organised annually in partnership with the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
For engineers and scientists working on photonics, quantum sensing and AI-enabled optronics for European defence programmes, SPIE Security + Defence Edinburgh is the one conference where the paper you publish and the company you meet are in the same room.
Conference registration is managed through the SPIE website (spie.org). Registration is required for access to paper sessions; fees vary by membership status (SPIE members pay reduced rates) and registration timing (early bird versus standard). The two-day exhibition is free to attend. Author registration is required for presenting authors to confirm paper inclusion in the programme. Detailed pricing and registration links for the 2026 edition are available on the official SPIE Sensors + Imaging conference pages. European-based attendees may be eligible for institutional discounts through their universities or research organisations.
Yes. The two-day exhibition component of SPIE Security + Defence is free to attend. Conference session access requires paid registration. Exhibition visitors can view company stands, demonstrations and posters without paying a conference fee.
Yes. Accepted papers presented at SPIE Security + Defence are published in SPIE Proceedings and indexed in the SPIE Digital Library, making them citable in academic and technical publications. SPIE proceedings are widely indexed and recognised in the scientific community.
SPIE Security + Defence follows academic conference norms. Business casual is standard for most sessions. Exhibition visitors and company representatives may wear business attire. There is no military dress code, as this is a civilian scientific conference.
| Official website | https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/security--defence |
| not disclosed | |
| X | not disclosed |
| Register | https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/sensors-and-imaging |
| Programme / Call for papers | https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/sensors-and-imaging/programme/browse-the-call-for-papers |