Tallinn Defence Expo 2025

Taking place on 24–25 September in the Estonian capital, the Tallinn Defence Expo was the flagship event of was the flagship event of the first Estonian Defence Week.

Over 80 leading companies and organisations, from domestic innovators to global players such as SAAB, Airbus, BlackBerry, and Helsing, came together to showcase cutting-edge solutions and strengthen ties across Europe’s defence ecosystem.

© Images by Hiatus.Digital

Innovation & Technology

The Expo offered a first-hand look at the latest in AI, autonomous systems, cyber defence, space technology, and unmanned solutions, reflecting Estonia’s interest in Defence Tech. Exhibitors also presented advances in weapon systems and ammunition, electronics and communications, vehicles and logistics, software and simulations, CBRN defence, medical technologies, and naval and maritime defence systems. This wide-ranging showcase underlined how Estonia and its international partners are shaping next-generation military capability.

Global Network & Engagement

Delegates connected with industry leaders, policymakers, and technologists from nearly 20 countries, creating new pathways for international collaboration. As part of Estonian Defence Week, the Expo was closely tied to the Estonian Defence Industry Symposium 2025: “The Power of Disruption”, which brought together global experts to debate the technological future of defence. The event reinforced Estonia’s role as a meeting ground for innovation, alliance-building, and strategic dialogue.

Conferences & Side Events

Beyond the exhibition halls, Defence Week featured Defence Innovation Day, the Annual Baltic Conference on Defence, and a high-energy European Defence Tech Hackathon. These side events ranged from startup pitches and dual-use technology showcases to strategic debates on NATO readiness and Europe’s defence posture. Together, they complemented the Expo’s exhibition floor with deeper engagement on emerging threats, opportunities, and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

Conclusion

The Tallinn Defence Expo 2025 demonstrated Estonia’s growing footprint in the international defence and security arena. By combining world-class innovation with practical demonstrations and high-level networking, the Expo showcased not only Estonia’s developing defence industry but also the collaborative spirit driving European and transatlantic security forward.


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Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author:

Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a mission-driven branding and website design company that works with clients all over the world.

Over the course of his life, he has travelled to more than 60 countries across six continents, earned two Guinness World Records, completed the legendary Marathon des Sables, summited Mont Blanc and unclimbed peaks in Asia, become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and obtained a Masterʼs degree in Business Management (MA).

https://www.hiatus.design
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European Defense Tech Hub (EDTH) Hackathon, Tallinn, September 2025

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