Hybrid threats, drone attacks and cyber operations are changing the requirements for defence and protection of critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and robotics are relevant to security. They will be the focus of XPONENTIAL Europe, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2026. The topics of defence and dual use will be on the agenda of the trade fair and supporting programme.
The centrepiece is a specialist conference organised by the German Armed Forces, which will highlight the operational, technological and political perspectives of an increasingly unmanned operational environment. It will take place on 25 March 2026 in the Defense Theater in Hall 1 of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre and is open to all visitors to XPONENTIAL Europe. It will be complemented by a curated, bilateral dialogue format organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG), which will bring together political decision-makers, armed forces and industry in an exclusive setting in the auditorium in CCD South, by invitation only.
Unmanned systems in focus of security and defence
Under the title "Operational and Innovative Security and Defence Perspectives of an Unmanned Environment", the Bundeswehr conference will highlight the operational role of unmanned systems in the context of security and defence policy, combining operational reality, capability development and technological innovation. The conference is aimed at a specialist audience from politics, the armed forces, procurement, security authorities, industry and research, and is supported by Diehl Defence, one of Germany's three largest defence companies. Topics under discussion include the current threat situation in the Euro-Atlantic area, deterrence and defence through unmanned systems in all domains, and national security and governance issues at home. Other key topics include the protection of critical infrastructure, operational lessons learned from current conflicts, innovation and procurement processes, their implementation in existing structures, and the use of artificial intelligence in the context of automation and the principle of "meaningful human control".
"Unmanned systems are now a key factor in modern security and defence architectures. The Munich Security Conference has once again clearly demonstrated this. It is crucial that operational experience, technological development and political frameworks are closely interlinked. With our presence at XPONENTIAL Europe, we want to enter direct dialogue with research and industry and look forward to many discussions and contacts. At the same time, together with the supporting programme "Defence meets Wirtschaft" organised by our partner, the British Chamber of Commerce Germany, we are sending a strong signal to the public," says Rear Admiral Christian Bock, Head of the Bundeswehr Innovation Centre in Erding.
In addition to the Bundeswehr, federal ministries, NATO structures, international military forces, security authorities, science and industry will also be represented. The complete programme for the Bundeswehr Conference can be found here!
Strategic dialogue "Defence meets Wirtschaft"
As a significant extension of XPONENTIAL Europe, a bilateral German-British defence and business symposium for invited guests will take place on 25 March 2026 at 11 a.m. in the CCD South. Under the title "Defence meets Wirtschaft", representatives from politics, industry and the military will discuss security policy guidelines for European defence capabilities.
The symposium is being organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG) in conjunction with XPONENTIAL Europe. The strategic dialogue is being implemented in close cooperation with the British Embassy in Germany and with the participation of representatives from the British Ministry of Defence. The exchange underscores the United Kingdom's role as a key security and defence policy partner for Europe.
"The 'Defence meets Wirtschaft' Symposium is a wonderful example of bilateral dialogue as envisaged in the Kensington Treaty and our Trinity House Agreement on Defence. As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of 'Operation Marriage', the creation by British allied forces of a new federal state - North Rhine-Westphalia - I can scarcely think of a better way for the United Kingdom and the modern economic powerhouse of NRW to mark this milestone and look forward to future cooperation on security, defence and innovation together," explains Andrew Mitchell CMG, British Ambassador to Germany.
"The British Chamber of Commerce in Germany stands for strong and reliable German-British relations. With the strategic dialogue 'Defence meets Wirtschaft', we support XPONENTIAL Europe and Messe Düsseldorf as an international platform for innovation and cooperation. The aim is to bring the United Kingdom and Germany even closer together in the field of security and defence through industry and trade, in close cooperation with our partners and allies. The dialogue also fits into the historical context of North Rhine-Westphalia's 80th anniversary," says Michael Schmidt, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany.
The event is part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of North Rhine-Westphalia as a key region for security, industry and innovation, and refers to the current German-British defence agreements.
High-ranking political representatives from Germany, the United Kingdom and Europe are expected to attend; nominations are still being finalised at the time of publication.
Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), will provide a European perspective. She will assess Europe's security policy orientation in the context of EU-NATO cooperation and address topics such as the practical application of European defence budgets and questions of European defence capability. Other topics include the security policy priorities of Germany, the United Kingdom and European and NATO allies, industrial resilience, defence budgets and the acceleration of innovation and procurement.
