European defence spending and industrial cooperation are reshaping priorities in mobility, air defence and cybersecurity. Three days in Athens bring together companies and delegations operating in that changing environment.
Dates venue and visiting hours
DEFEA takes place from 18 to 20 May 2027 at the Metropolitan Expo located at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos in Spata. Visitor hours run from 09:00 to 17:00 each day. The airport location simplifies logistics for international delegations and exhibitors.
Exhibitor and delegation profile at DEFEA 2027
The exhibition features companies showcasing land, naval and aerospace defence systems along with cybersecurity and associated industrial capabilities. The 2027 edition includes 436 exhibitors from 37 countries and 18 national pavilions. There are 106 official delegations representing 48 countries, making the show a focal point for manufacturers and suppliers targeting institutional procurement.
Key figures
- 436 exhibitors from 37 countries
- 30,137 visitors from 92 countries
- 106 official delegations from 48 countries
- 18 national pavilions
These numbers give a clear sense of the event’s international reach and the diversity of participants on site.
Practical tips for B2B prospecting at DEFEA
Prioritize meetings and segment targets by decision type. For systems manufacturers and subsystem suppliers identify military delegations and national procurement officers. For cybersecurity firms focus on integrators and government entities with national security responsibilities.
Actionable steps
Before the event
- Build a priority list of 20 companies and 10 delegations with contact details.
- Prepare short technical demos optimized for brief booth meetings. Ten minute demos increase conversion potential.
- Define export and technology transfer offers clearly.
On site
- Book 30 to 45 minute meetings with concrete objectives.
- Capture agreements and next steps in a standard follow up form listing deadlines and owners.
- Target national pavilions when the objective is institutional contracts or industrial partnerships.
After the event
- Send meeting summaries with a timeline within 72 hours.
- Rank leads by decision readiness to allocate commercial resources effectively.
Logistics and on-site services
Metropolitan Expo provides on-site services for stand assembly and large delegations. The venue’s proximity to the airport facilitates movement of sensitive equipment and same-day delegation travel. Confirm transportation and customs rules for specialized hardware ahead of time.
Closing thought
DEFEA 2027 concentrates industrial capabilities and policy actors in Athens across defence and security domains. If you are pursuing institutional contracts or industrial cooperation, invest time in technical preparation and in engaging national delegations. The official website http://defea.gr contains registration and matchmaking tools to plan participation.
