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    Dates

    18–20 May 2027

    City / country

    Athens, Greece

    Venue

    Metropolitan Expo

    Time

    9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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    Event overview

    Overview

    DEFEA 2027 is a high-profile international defence exhibition where international companies present land, naval, aerospace, national and cyber security defence systems.

    It will take place from 18th to 20th May 2027 in Athens, Greece, and is organized under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence.

    TL;DR

    1. 1Dates And Venue: DEFEA 2027 runs 18-20 May 2027 at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece.
    2. 2Scale: The 2025 edition brought together 346 exhibitors from 28 countries and 23,413 visitors from 91 countries.
    3. 3Organiser And Patronage: ROTA SA organises DEFEA under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence.
    4. 4Product Scope: Land, naval, aerospace, national security and cyber defence systems are shown across the halls.
    5. 5Logistics: Metropolitan Expo sits about 2 km from Athens International Airport with free parking and shuttle buses.

    Why visit

    DEFEA 2027 gives defence and security buyers a single venue to compare land, naval, aerospace, national security and cyber solutions from leading Greek and international suppliers. Visitors can meet prime contractors, national pavilions and specialist innovators, attend the DEFEA Conference panels on unmanned systems and cyber defence, and join structured B2B meetings that support procurement and partnership decisions. The 2025 edition drew 346 exhibitors from 28 countries and 23,413 visitors from 91 countries, so the show offers real scale for sourcing, benchmarking and pre-qualifying suppliers ahead of tender cycles, all at a venue about 2 km from Athens International Airport with free parking and shuttle links.

    Why exhibit

    Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their latest products, engage with decision-makers, and participate in B2B matchmaking to foster collaborations and partnerships. Scale: The 2025 edition brought together 346 exhibitors from 28 countries and 23,413 visitors from 91 countries. DEFEA serves as a pivotal platform for strategic collaboration and innovation in the defence and security sector, connecting key stakeholders from various countries and industries.

    Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

    Who this event is for

    Visitor profile

    Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

    Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Defence
    Chiefs of Armed Forces
    Directors of Armaments
    High-ranking officials from international organizations
    Top executives from leading defence companies
    Representatives from universities and research centers

    Exhibitor profile

    Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

    Defence contractors and OEMs
    Technology providers
    National and international delegations
    Military personnel
    Startups in defence technology
    Suppliers of defence systems and components

    Product categories

    Key solution areas showcased across the event.

    Land defence systems and equipment - armoured vehicles, artillery, soldier systems and ground support
    Naval vessels and technologies - surface and sub-surface platforms, maritime sensors and systems
    Aerospace and air defence - aircraft, air domain solutions and unmanned platforms
    Cyber defence and information security - network protection, secure communications and cyber resilience
    National and homeland security - surveillance, border security and critical infrastructure protection
    Unmanned systems - air, land and sea unmanned platforms and counter-drone technology
    Defence electronics and sensors - radar, C4ISR and electronic warfare
    Sustainable military solutions - energy, interoperability and green defence initiatives
    Defence services and support - logistics, maintenance, training and consultancy

    Location & Facilities

    Venue

    Open in Google Maps

    Metropolitan Expo

    Spata 190 19, Athens, Greece

    Facilities

    Parking

    Yes. Free parking is available near Lobbies 1 and 2 at Metropolitan Expo, with around 6,250 spaces and supervised traffic control.

    Parking: Yes. Free parking is available near Lobbies 1 and 2 at Metropolitan Expo, with around 6,250 spaces and supervised traffic control.

    Attend

    Entry & tickets

    Event days & opening times

    DayOpening hours
    Tues 18 May:9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wed 19 May: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thur 20 May: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Register

    Who runs the show

    Organisers

    ROTA SA

    Website

    How the last edition performed

    Previous edition

    Current edition

    2027 · 400 exhibitors

    Forecast — not final

    Visitors

    23,413

    Exhibitors

    346

    Impact

    A bigger and stronger platform

    DEFEA 2027 is a high-profile international defence exhibition where international companies present land, naval, aerospace, national and cyber security defence systems. It will take place from 18th to 20th May 2027 in Athens, Greece, and is organized under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence. DEFEA serves as a pivotal platform for strategic collaboration and innovation in the defence and security sector, connecting key stakeholders from various countries and industries.

    Audience quality

    High-value decision-makers

    Visitors typically include Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Armed Forces, Directors of Armaments, High-ranking officials from international organizations. Defence Exhibition Athens 2027 from 18-20 May. Location: Metropolitan Expo, Athens. Organized by ROTA SA under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence. Expected participation from over 400 exhibitors. Defence Exhibition Athens attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's published visitor positioning.

    Exhibitor outcomes

    Real business growth

    Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their latest products, engage with decision-makers, and participate in B2B matchmaking to foster collaborations and partnerships. Expected participation from over 400 exhibitors. Attracting high-level delegations and industry leaders. DEFEA serves as a pivotal platform for strategic collaboration and innovation in the defence and security sector, connecting key stakeholders from various countries and industries. Exhibitor categories include Defence contractors.

    Intelligence

    Market context

    Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

    Athens, Greece

    Why it matters

    DEFEA - Defence Exhibition Athens is established as one of the largest international defence exhibitions in Europe and the leading defence industry show for the land, sea and air domains in South East Europe. The 2025 edition hosted 346 exhibitors from 28 countries and 23,413 visitors from 91 countries, with strong participation from official delegations across Europe, North America, Africa, Central and Eastern Asia, and the Middle East. For 2027 the organiser reports that preparations are advancing at a remarkable pace, confirming the event's growing international appeal and strategic importance.

    Industry trends

    Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

    01

    AI video analytics at the edge

    Buyers are specifying cameras and VMS platforms with on-device analytics for perimeter, retail, and critical-infrastructure use cases, reducing cloud latency and bandwidth costs.

    02

    Cyber-physical convergence

    Integrated platforms that link access control, intrusion, fire, and SOC workflows are replacing siloed point products, especially for multi-site enterprises and public venues.

    03

    Cloud-managed access and identity

    Mobile credentials, visitor management APIs, and hybrid on-prem/cloud access control are standard evaluation criteria for facility and enterprise security teams.

    04

    Regulatory and compliance pressure

    EU NIS2, GDPR, and sector-specific standards are driving procurement of audited systems, documentation, and vendor certifications alongside hardware.

    05

    Critical infrastructure hardening

    Utilities, transport hubs, and logistics operators are upgrading detection, backup power, and redundant communications as part of resilience programmes.

    Security trade fair circuit

    Book hotels and meetings 8–12 weeks before opening day; peer shows in the same sector often fall in adjacent months.

    Buyers covering security often plan Defence Exhibition Athens alongside regional peer shows to compare products, pricing, and service coverage across markets.

    Pre-show

    Confirm exhibitor meetings and product demos for Defence Exhibition Athens.

    Show week

    Hall walk-throughs, live demos, and supplier negotiations.

    Peer events are widely known sector fairs; verify dates on each organiser website before booking.

    Plan your trip

    Travel & logistics

    Local currency · EUR

    Arrival airports

    Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

    ATH

    Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos

    Metropolitan Expo is located within the airport complex at the end of Attiki Odos; a complimentary shuttle bus connects the airport and the venue, with a dedicated stop outside Arrival Gate 2.

    About 2 km

    to venue

    About 5 minutes

    by car

    Hotel tiers

    A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

    Novotel Athenes

    Athens city centre

    Free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, outdoor pool, air conditioning, fitness centre, bar

    Iasonos Suites Athens

    Athens city centre

    Breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, air conditioning, restaurant, room service, airport shuttle

    ibis Styles Athens Routes Hotel

    Athens city centre

    Breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, air conditioning, pet-friendly, fitness centre

    Local transport

    Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

    Free shuttle bus

    Estimated costFree
    Best forAthens International Airport to Metropolitan Expo

    Complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, departing from Lobby 1 at the venue; a dedicated bus stop is outside Arrival Gate 2 at the airport, about a 5 minute drive.

    Metro

    Estimated costApprox. EUR 9 one-way airport metro ticket from central Athens (standard fare band)
    Best forAthens Metro Line 3 (blue line) to Airport station, then shuttle to the venue

    Trains to the airport run every 30 minutes; the venue is a few minutes from the metro and suburban railway stations by shuttle.

    Taxi

    Estimated costApprox. EUR 40-55 metered fare from central Athens
    Best forAirport or Athens city centre to Metropolitan Expo

    Taxi pick-up and drop-off point is at Lobby 1.

    Car and parking

    Estimated costFree
    Best forAttiki Odos Expressway to Metropolitan Expo

    Free on-site parking with around 6,250 spaces across two areas in front of the venue entrances, supervised by show personnel.

    taxi

    Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forAthens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Metropolitan Expo

    About 5 minutes; Metropolitan Expo is located within the airport complex at the end of Attiki Odos; a complimentary shuttle bus connects the airport and the venue, with a dedicated stop outside Arrival Gate 2.

    Plan your trip

    Visa & entry documents

    Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

    Visa not required
    ATA Carnet: check with organiser
    TypeWho needs itFeeProcessing
    Schengen Type C short-stay visaNon-EU/EEA nationals who are not visa-exempt, including Indian passport holders, visiting Greece for business.—Apply several weeks in advance; processing time varies by consulate.

    EU/EEA citizens and nationals of visa-exempt countries do not need a visa for a short business visit to Greece.

    Official visa page

    Weather

    Athens in May is warm and mostly dry. Daytime highs typically reach 25-26 C (77-79 F) with night-time lows near 15-16 C (59-61 F). Expect roughly 4-5 rainy days across the month and around 12 hours of sunshine per day, with monthly rainfall averaging about 20 mm. Light layers, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are recommended for show days at the Metropolitan Expo.

    Plan for the climate

    Check temperatures and pack accordingly

    Venue connectivity

    Athens has wide mobile coverage. Business visitors can use EU roaming, buy a local prepaid SIM or use an eSIM; Greece eSIM plans are compared from around EUR 0.21 upward by comparison sites, and local SIM cards with data are sold at the airport and in the city.

    Ride-hailing

    Taxis

    Public transit

    Car rentals

    Cultural notes

    Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

    Registration

    Confirm registration and venue access with the organiser before travelling to Athens.

    Arrival

    Arrive early on the first show day for orientation and security screening.

    Practical guides

    Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

    Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

    Flights

    Destination: ATH

    Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Athens; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.

    Visa

    Greece is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens and nationals of visa-exempt countries do not need a visa for a short business visit. Non-EU nationals who require a visa, such as Indian passport holders, need a short-stay Schengen Type C visa for visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Greece does not offer visa on arrival or visa-free entry for these travellers.

    Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).

    Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

    Apply through the Greek consulate or its authorised visa centre in your country of residence. Provide a passport valid at least three months beyond departure, confirmed travel and accommodation, travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover, and documentation of your business purpose.

    Official

    Hotels

    Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.

    Check-in (recommended)

    2027-05-17

    Check-out (recommended)

    2027-05-21

    Areas to stay

    Athens city centre

    Transport

    Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

    Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH): About 5 minutes. Allow road or rail time to Metropolitan Expo; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.

    Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Metropolitan Expo: Athens city centre: Novotel Athenes; Athens city centre: Iasonos Suites Athens; Athens city centre: ibis Styles Athens Routes Hotel.

    Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Athens; confirm local availability before travel.

    Public transit: Take Athens Metro Line 3 (blue line) to the Airport station, then the complimentary shuttle bus to Metropolitan Expo. Trains to the airport run every 30 minutes and the venue is a few minutes from the metro and suburban railway stations.

    Parking: On-site parking is available at Metropolitan Expo; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

    Weather

    Plan and pack for the event climate.

    Month: May 2027

    Temperature: About 15-16 C at night to 25-26 C daytime high.

    Seasonality: Late spring, mostly dry and sunny. May brings around 4-5 rainy days, roughly 20 mm of rainfall for the month and about 12 hours of sunshine per day.

    Packing: Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, comfortable walking shoes for long days on concrete floors, sun protection and a light rain layer. Bring a Type C/F power adapter for Greece (230V).

    Plan your trip

    Planning

    12

    Confirm passport validity and Schengen visa needs — Passport should be valid at least three months beyond departure; non-EU visitors who need a Schengen Type C visa should apply through the Greek consulate early.

    11

    Book flights to Athens — Fly into Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), about 2 km from Metropolitan Expo.

    10

    Reserve a hotel in Athens — Choose a city-centre or airport-area hotel; the 2025 edition drew 23,413 visitors, so book early for DEFEA 2027 on 18-20 May.

    9

    Complete visitor registration — Register online through defea.gr to receive your badge and entry credentials.

    8

    Plan airport-to-venue transfer — The venue runs a free shuttle bus from outside Arrival Gate 2 and from Lobby 1; Metro Line 3 also serves the airport.

    7

    Download the hall plan and programme — Review the exhibitor list, DEFEA Conference sessions and hall layout to plan your route.

    6

    Pre-schedule B2B meetings — Request meetings with target primes, national pavilions and suppliers through the show B2B area.

    5

    Shortlist conference sessions — Plan attendance at sessions on unmanned systems, cyber defence and sustainable military solutions.

    4

    Arrange travel insurance and local transport — Schengen visa applicants need insurance with at least EUR 30,000 medical cover; plan metro, taxi or shuttle options.

    3

    Prepare documents and materials — Carry printed invitations, business cards and meeting briefs; keep digital copies of your passport and insurance.

    2

    Check weather and pack — Athens in May is warm and mostly dry, roughly 15-26 C; pack light layers, comfortable shoes and sun protection.

    1

    Arrive in Athens and collect your badge — Allow time for airport transfer and security screening; the show opens at 09:00 each day from 18-20 May 2027.

    Decision

    Visit, exhibit, or skip?

    Should you go?

    Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

    QUESTION 1 OF 6

    What is your primary role?

    Decision matrix

    Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

    visit

    You are sourcing or pre-qualifying suppliers and can commit one to three days on the show floor.

    Best for

    Procurement officers, defence attaches and systems integrators who want to compare land, naval, aerospace and cyber suppliers and hold supplier meetings in one trip.

    Min. budget

    $350.00

    Timeline

    4-6 weeks for flights, hotel and any Schengen visa.

    Risks

    May is peak season in Athens, so hotel rates rise around the show dates

    Schengen visa appointments can be limited for non-EU visitors

    exhibit

    You have products to launch or a tender pipeline to influence.

    Best for

    Defence primes, national pavilions and technology OEMs seeking visibility with official delegations and buyers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

    Min. budget

    $2,200.00

    Timeline

    3-6 months for stand booking, build and freight planning.

    Risks

    Stand space and hall allocation are competitive as DEFEA grows

    Freight and customs clearance for equipment can add lead time

    skip

    Your products and customers are not part of the land, naval, aerospace or cyber defence supply chain.

    Best for

    Suppliers outside the defence and security sector, or teams with no procurement interest in this market.

    Timeline

    Not applicable.

    Risks

    No major risks listed.

    Gallery

    Photos

    Official imagery from Defence Exhibition Athens
    Official imagery from Defence Exhibition Athens

    FAQs & glossary

    Answers

    Frequently asked

    Glossary

    1
    Defence Exhibition
    An event where companies showcase their latest defence technologies and systems.
    2
    National Pavilion
    A dedicated space for countries to showcase their defence capabilities and technologies.
    3
    B2B Meetings
    Business-to-business meetings aimed at fostering partnerships and collaborations.
    4
    Cybersecurity
    The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
    5
    Procurement
    The process of acquiring goods and services, particularly in the context of government and military needs.
    6
    Exhibitor
    A company or organization that displays its products or services at an exhibition.
    7
    Delegation
    A group of representatives from a country or organization attending an event.
    8
    Innovation
    The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products in the defence sector.
    9
    Schengen Visa
    A short-stay visa (Type C) that allows non-EU visitors to travel within the Schengen Area, including Greece, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
    10
    Unmanned Systems (UxS)
    Air, land or sea platforms that operate without an on-board crew, a fast-growing segment at DEFEA.

    Trust footer

    Sources

    4

    References

    2

    Publishers

    0

    Date checked

    1

    ROTA SA

    2

    Defence Exhibition Athens

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