The upcoming XPONENTIAL Europe conference and trade fair will place security, defense and dual-use autonomous technologies at the center of its program.
The event will take place March 24–26, 2026, at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany, bringing together industry, government and research leaders focused on unmanned systems, robotics and AI-enabled autonomy. Organizers say this year’s program reflects the growing role of autonomous systems in addressing hybrid threats such as drone attacks, cyber operations and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Defense and security take center stage
A key highlight will be a specialist conference hosted by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) titled “Operational and Innovative Security and Defence Perspectives of an Unmanned Environment.” The session will examine how unmanned systems are being integrated into modern defense architectures and operational concepts across air, land and maritime domains.
The conference will bring together stakeholders from defense ministries, procurement agencies, security authorities, industry and research organizations to discuss topics including:
- Deterrence and defense enabled by unmanned systems
- Operational lessons from recent conflicts
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Artificial intelligence and automation in military operations
- Procurement and innovation pathways for emerging technologies
According to Rear Adm. Christian Bock, head of the Bundeswehr Innovation Centre, unmanned technologies are increasingly central to modern security strategies and require closer collaboration between operational users, industry and policymakers.
European defense dialogue and industry collaboration
XPONENTIAL Europe will also host a high-level bilateral symposium titled “Defence meets Wirtschaft” (“Defence meets Industry”), organized by the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany in cooperation with the British Embassy and UK Ministry of Defence.
Participants are expected to address issues including defense budgets, supply-chain resilience, accelerated procurement and the role of innovation ecosystems in strengthening European security. The program will also feature perspectives from European policymakers, including members of the European Parliament’s security and defense committees.
Dual-use innovation driving investment
The defense focus reflects broader investment trends across Europe’s technology sector. Venture capital funding for defense and dual-use startups has surged in recent years, with unmanned systems, sensor technologies, edge AI and space infrastructure emerging as key areas of interest for investors and governments alike.
Organizers say XPONENTIAL Europe is a platform where defense technology developers, autonomous systems companies and investors can connect as the region accelerates efforts to build greater technological sovereignty and supply-chain resilience.
A growing platform for autonomy
XPONENTIAL Europe is the European counterpart to the long-running XPONENTIAL event in the United States and focuses on unmanned systems and robotics across multiple domains, including aerial, maritime, ground and space platforms.
The Düsseldorf event will combine exhibition space, technical conferences and startup showcases designed to highlight emerging technologies in autonomy, AI, sensors and communications.
With security and defense now at the forefront of European technology policy, organizers expect the 2026 edition to serve as a key forum for discussing how autonomous systems will shape both commercial and national-security applications in the years ahead.
For more information, visit the Xponential Europe 2026 website at https://www.xponential-europe.com/en/Defense.
