IDEF 2027 in Istanbul: key facts, figures and a six-month plan for exhibitors

IDEF, Türkiye’s international defence industry fair, returns for its 18th edition on 3–9 May 2027 at Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi). For exhibitors, six months is less time than it sounds: the stand application, the message, the materials and the meeting plan all need to be in place before the doors open. The early-booking discount for stand space ended on 30 October 2026; stand applications remain open.

This guide brings together the official facts about IDEF 2027, the results of IDEF 2025, how the fair has grown since 1993, and a month-by-month preparation plan, with notes for companies travelling to Istanbul from abroad. All facts come from the fair’s official website.

In short: IDEF 2027

• Dates and venue: 3–9 May 2027, Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi).
• Organisation: under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, hosted by the Ministry of National Defence, supported by the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), under the management and responsibility of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV), and organised by KFA Fuarcılık A.Ş.
• Frequency: held every two years since 1993.
• Scope: land, naval, aviation and space, security, logistics, and supplies and equipment.
• Stand applications: open; the early-booking discount ended on 30 October 2026.
• Visiting: free of charge, but visitors must pre-register and receive an approval code; there is no on-site registration, and visitors must be over 18. Visitor registration for IDEF 2027 has not opened yet.

IDEF 2025 in numbers

According to the organiser’s results, the 17th IDEF, held on 22–27 July 2025:

• brought together 1,491 exhibitors from 49 countries,
• welcomed 121,753 visitors from 114 countries,
• hosted more than 220 official delegations from over 100 countries and international organisations,
• saw 1,157 new products presented and 6,301 meetings planned,
• and recorded 270 signing ceremonies and contracts worth around USD 9 billion.

Those numbers show both the opportunity and the challenge. With 1,491 exhibitors and more than a thousand product launches in one week, standing out takes a clear message and meetings planned well in advance.

How IDEF has grown since 1993

Source: historical figures on the official IDEF website (selected editions).

From 190 exhibitors in 1993 to 1,491 in 2025, the fair has grown almost eightfold, and the number of delegation members has more than quadrupled. For international companies, IDEF is one of the most concentrated opportunities to meet Türkiye’s defence ecosystem and the official delegations it attracts from more than 100 countries in a single week.

Who exhibits at IDEF

According to the official exhibitor profile, IDEF brings together exhibitors from defence manufacturing and development; communications and combat support systems; air and missile defence; military engineering vehicles and materials; CBRN equipment; logistics support; combat and armoured vehicles; and cybersecurity and information systems, alongside media and related institutions (IDEF exhibitor profile).

A six-month preparation plan for IDEF 2027

October–November 2026: decide and apply

• Define your goal. Are you launching a product, meeting delegations from export markets, or entering a supply chain? Stand size, location and budget follow from that answer.
• Apply. Stand applications are made online via the official website (IDEF application form). The early-booking discount ended on 30 October 2026.

November 2026–January 2027: message and positioning

• Write a one-sentence value proposition. A delegation member walking past your stand should understand within seconds what you do and why it matters.
• Translate technical content for decision-makers. Engineering detail matters, but procurement decision-makers look first at capability, reliability and the cooperation model.
• Plan your languages. English is essential; Turkish-language materials signal commitment to the local market, and short summaries in the languages of your target export markets help with visiting delegations.

February–March 2027: materials and visibility

• Produce your materials. Brochures, product sheets, presentations, a short film and stand visuals should all carry the same message.
• Update your digital presence. Delegations and partners will look you up online before a meeting, so update the relevant website pages and your LinkedIn page before the fair.
• Plan any product launch. With more than a thousand new products presented at IDEF 2025, a launch needs a press release and visuals prepared well in advance.

March–April 2027: the meeting plan

• Book meetings early. Identify the companies, institutions and delegations you want to meet and contact them weeks before the fair.
• Register your team and guests. When visitor pre-registration opens, register your team and invited guests early; there is no on-site registration.
• Check visas. The organiser cannot assist with visas, so foreign team members and guests should contact the nearest Turkish mission in good time (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa information). Our 2027 public holidays calendar helps you avoid clashes with holidays.

3–9 May 2027: fair week

• Keep daily notes. After every meeting, record who you met, what was discussed and the agreed next step.
• Know the filming rules. At IDEF, professional filming is not allowed without a press badge, and press filming also requires permission from exhibitors and/or the protocol office. Plan your content accordingly.

After the fair: follow-up

The real return of a fair shows in the follow-up. Organise your notes during the same week, plan thank-you messages and proposals, and share content from the fair within a few weeks. To weigh whether exhibiting will really add value for your brand, read “Are trade fairs still worth it?”.

A few notes specific to defence fairs

• Confidentiality and permissions: clarify before the fair which products, information and images may be shown, and what will only be shared in one-to-one meetings.
• Protocol visits: official delegation and protocol visits are short and tightly scheduled. Keep a one-minute pitch and a leave-behind ready.
• Audience: a large share of visitors are industry professionals and official delegations, so pitch your message to them rather than to the general public.

How Edda Creative helps

With our team in Amsterdam and Ankara, we help defence, aerospace and security brands from Türkiye and abroad prepare for trade fairs. At Istanbul Expo Center, the same venue as IDEF, we stood alongside KAREL at SAHA 2026, and we follow fairs such as Eurosatory 2026, SEDEC 2026 and Euronaval 2026 closely.

For IDEF 2027, we can sharpen your fair strategy and message together; produce brochures, presentations, films, stand visuals and multilingual materials in English, Turkish and Dutch; and plan LinkedIn and press content before and after the fair. Meetings at the fair and customer relationships stay with your own team; we make sure your brand shows up with the right message, in the right language and at the right time. See our business development and marketing consultancy page for details.

If you would like to talk about your IDEF 2027 preparation, you can email us at info@eddacreative.com with a short description of your project.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is IDEF 2027?

IDEF 2027 takes place on 3–9 May 2027 at Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi). It is the fair’s 18th edition.

How do I apply to exhibit at IDEF 2027?

Stand applications are made through the online form on the official IDEF website. Companies active in one of the fair’s scope areas can take part. The early-booking discount ended on 30 October 2026.

Is it free to visit IDEF?

Yes, entry is free. Visitors must pre-register and receive an approval code in advance; there is no on-site registration. Visitor registration for IDEF 2027 has not opened yet.

How often is IDEF held?

IDEF has been held every two years since 1993.

How many exhibitors attended IDEF 2025?

According to the organiser, IDEF 2025 brought together 1,491 exhibitors from 49 countries and welcomed 121,753 visitors from 114 countries.

Facts compiled from the official IDEF website as of 28 October 2026. Please check the official website for application terms and dates.

Sources

• IDEF – Official website
• IDEF – About
• IDEF – IDEF 2027 press release and IDEF 2025 results
• IDEF – Frequently asked questions
• IDEF – Exhibitor profile
• Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Visa information