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Dec 1 2025

NCIA introduces new NATO Edge concept for the 2026 edition


In a world where speed, scale, and resilience define defence, NATO Edge 26 brings together NATO and national decision-makers, industry and academia to deliver the capabilities the Alliance needs, faster, smarter, and together.


The next edition of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)’s flagship event will be hosted in İzmir, Türkiye, from 17 to 19 November 2026. NATO Edge 26 introduces a new mission-driven format that places industry at the forefront, fostering practical cooperation, accelerating delivery, and strengthening readiness across the defence and technology spectrum.

NCIA introduces new NATO Edge concept for the 2026 edition

The previous edition, NATO Edge 24, brought together 1,800 participants from NATO Nations, partner countries, industry, academia, and government stakeholders to engage in plenaries, break-out sessions, exhibitions and innovation-theatre pitches. The event featured more than 140 exhibitors and robust interaction between NATO decision-makers and industry.

With Edge 26, the ambition rises. For this new edition, NCIA expects 3,000 participants and 200 exhibitors, maximizing the opportunities for engagement and networking. The new format aims for greater interactivity, more focused briefings, and actionable outcomes. It is designed to give industry clearer visibility of NATO’s capability requirements, funding strategies and procurement opportunities. Industry participants will have a direct opportunity to shape NATO’s future capabilities from the outset, while end-users and decision-makers can engage more deeply with emerging and disruptive technologies.

In the current complex and unpredictable security environment, readiness depends on delivering capability at speed and scale. NATO Edge 26’s mission-driven approach seeks to meet this demand head-on.

NATO Edge 26 aims to strengthen the link between NATO’s requirements and industry innovation, reinforcing the Alliance’s technological advantage and ensuring faster, more agile development and deployment of solutions. The commitment is clear: to accelerate delivery, deepen cooperation and ensure readiness across domains.

For more information and exhibitor opportunities, visit our NATO Edge website.