Returning to London this April, ITEC 2026 convenes the world’s defence training leaders to debate, demonstrate and define the systems preparing forces for multi domain operations.
London will play host to Europe’s premier defence training technology event this spring as the International Training Technology Exhibition and Conference (ITEC) returns to ExCeL London from 14 – 16 April 2026. Widely regarded as the leading global forum for military training, simulation and education, ITEC 2026 promises three days of insight, debate and demonstration on how modern forces prepare for tomorrow’s complex operational challenges.
A Convergence of Industry, Military and Innovation
ITEC’s compound format combines a large-scale exhibition with an intensive technical conference, drawing military trainers, simulation specialists, defence industry leaders, government officials, and academic researchers from around the world. Organisers Clarion Events report that this edition will be the largest yet held in London, continuing the event’s trajectory as the most significant gathering in Europe for defence training technology.
Across three days, delegates will explore how artificial intelligence, immersive simulation, digital twins, machine learning and related technologies are reshaping training paradigms for modern armed forces. With training described as a critical enabler of operational readiness, the show’s exhibitors and speakers will present advances that directly support the development of more resilient, adaptive and digitally empowered defenders.
Deep Technical Insight
At the heart of ITEC 2026 is the technical conference, which features over 70 international experts speaking across three themed theatres: Adaptive Edge, Human Performance, and New Horizons. Each theatre has been curated to address key challenges in defence training, from AI-assisted mission rehearsal to cognitive readiness and next-generation constructive simulation.
Sessions that have already caught industry attention include explorations of hybrid AI architectures for autonomous command and control, rapid force development through automated experimentation environments, and the use of virtual reality for non-technical competency assessments. Presentations also examine how commercial innovations can accelerate military simulation capability, emphasising both scalability and interoperability in training environments.
The diverse speaker list underscores the global nature of the event. Delegates include senior representatives from NATO Headquarters, US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, and defence simulation innovators such as Bohemia Interactive Simulations and BAE Systems. Academic perspectives are supplied by institutions including Johns Hopkins University and the Applied Physics Laboratory, reflecting cross-sector collaboration.
The Business of Better Training
Beyond the conference halls, the ITEC exhibition floor will showcase a wide spectrum of technology and services relevant to defence training. Exhibitors range from major defence contractors and simulation software developers to specialists in AI, augmented and virtual reality technologies. Companies such as Calian Defence, which has announced its participation at ITEC 2026, will use the show to engage with end-users and demonstrate their latest training and simulation solutions.
ITEC’s exhibition also serves as a barometer of market trends, reflecting how the industry is responding to broader defence priorities such as multi-domain integration, networked training environments, and human-machine teaming. Attendees can expect interactive stands, live demonstrations of cutting-edge platforms, and opportunities to speak directly with technology developers about real-world training challenges.
Organisers highlight that previous visitors have overwhelmingly recognised ITEC as crucial to their business development strategies. With structured and informal opportunities to engage with peers, military leaders and technology innovators, the show continues to facilitate the kinds of conversations that result in new collaborations and capability programmes…
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