200 Days to Go Until the Start of EUDEX
In 200 days, Euro Defence Expo will kick off at Messe Essen. Now, the new international trade fair for the security and defence industry has sent a strong political signal. At the Parliamentary Evening at the German Parliamentary Society in Berlin, 120 high-ranking representatives from politics, diplomacy, the military, administration and industry came together to discuss key questions concerning the European security architecture.
Against the backdrop of the changed security situation in Europe, the event deliberately linked to the debate on the ‘turning point’ and underlined the ambition of the Euro Defence Expo to create a platform for strategic dialogue and industrial innovation and to promote civilmilitary cooperation. This made it clear that EUDEX sees itself not only as an industry gathering, but also as a strategic driver providing impulses for security policy orientation in Germany and Europe.
North Rhine-Westphalia as a key location
The evening was opened by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery. In his speech, he emphasised the special role of North Rhine-Westphalia in the context of European security architecture: “Without industrial substance, there can be no military capability. North Rhine-Westphalia is the industrial backbone of this turning point in history. With the Euro Defence Expo, an independent German trade fair format for the security and defence industry is being created – a strong signal of European responsibility and technological competence.”
Homeland Defence Division as a response to new threat scenarios
Major General Andreas Henne, Commander of the German Army's Homeland Defence Division, then spoke on the topic of ‘Homeland Defence Division – a response to the threat to Germany’. In his presentation, he outlined the wide range of measures currently being taken by the German Army to protect the Federal Republic and emphasised: “Homeland security is a crucial component of Germany's defence.“
Strong support for Essen as a trade fair location
At the get-together afterwards, guests took the opportunity for personal exchange and to continue the discussions. In addition to the security policy context, the importance of Essen as a trade fair location for Euro Defence Expo was also highlighted. With its excellent infrastructure and many years of B2B experience – for example, as the home of the internationally leading trade fair Security Essen and the JAPCC – it offers ideal conditions for a format with a European scope.
Essen’s Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen emphasised: “Essen has been an internationally recognised location for security trade fairs for decades. With Euro Defence Expo, this profile is now being expanded to include the defence sector. The combination of strong industry partners, high logistical capabilities and the experience of Messe Essen creates ideal conditions for a new platform with European appeal.”
EUDEX will take place at Messe Essen from 22 to 25 September 2026. Further information is available
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