The inaugural Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) has opened at Messe Essen, bringing together 359 exhibitors from 28 countries from 22 to 25 September.
The new international defence exhibition brings together companies, armed forces, procurement organisations, research institutions and political representatives, with civil military cooperation forming a central theme.
EUDEX is taking place alongside Security Essen, which features more than 500 exhibitors from the security sector.
Defence technology on display
Exhibitors include established defence companies such as Heckler and Koch, KNDS, Leonardo and Metallwerk Elisenhütte, alongside technology businesses including ARX Robotics and STARK.
Technologies represented at the exhibition cover personal equipment, CBRN defence, logistics, command and communications, intelligence and surveillance, training and simulation.
Unmanned systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, software, vehicles and heavy equipment are also represented.
A Modern Industrial Manufacturing exhibition area is focusing on advanced production methods for precise, scalable and digitally connected manufacturing.
Civil military cooperation
EUDEX is also bringing expertise from civilian industries into the defence sector.
Fourteen companies are participating through a joint stand connected with SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN, including CLOOS, which is presenting automated welding and robotic technologies.
Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen, said: “Defence capability and resilience are, more than ever, also a question of industrial expertise. This makes it essential to intensify cooperation between the defence industry, the civilian economy, research and the armed forces.
“This is precisely where EUDEX comes in: it connects stakeholders who have not traditionally been in regular dialogue with one another and creates space for new partnerships and concrete cooperation.
“In this way, we aim to contribute to the long-term advancement of civil-military cooperation in Europe.”
Defence programme in Essen
The EUDEX Forum will host keynote presentations, panel discussions and specialist sessions throughout the four day event.
A separate EUDEX Conference by CPM will examine civil military cooperation, resilience and the relationship between military requirements and civilian capabilities.
Live demonstrations will also provide opportunities to examine technologies in operational scenarios.
The event coincides with the annual conference of the NATO accredited Joint Air Power Competence Centre, bringing military representatives from NATO member nations to Essen alongside the defence and security exhibitions.
