OMM Redaksiyası
As the ADEX 2026 defense exhibition in Baku concluded, five key takeaways from the event were highlighted. The exhibition featured new unmanned systems, while Azerbaijani and Turkish companies signed agreements worth more than $500 million.
The largest edition to date
More than 270 companies from 29 countries were confirmed for the sixth defense exhibition. Fourteen countries were represented in national pavilions, and 59 foreign delegations registered to attend.
With the number of participants and exhibition space increasing, the newly built Pavilion 5 at the Baku Expo Center was also put into use.
Unmanned and robotic systems take center stage
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry displayed an armed ground robot, a kamikaze ground robot and a wheeled unmanned ground vehicle, as well as a BARS-type interceptor drone designed to neutralize enemy drones.
A strike UAV developed jointly with Türkiye was exhibited for the first time. It is 3.5 meters long, has a wingspan of 3.2 meters and can remain airborne for two hours.
Agreements worth more than $500 million with Türkiye
Agreements signed with Turkish companies included the purchase of 14 training aircraft, cooperation with Aselsan on the ALP-100 radar, Baykar drone systems and Roketsan’s Barbaros coastal defense system. Türkiye had the largest national presence at the exhibition, while Roketsan served as ADEX’s main sponsor.
Other countries also emerge as partners
U.S. company Northrop Grumman was the exhibition’s country partner sponsor. President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva also visited the stand of Italian defense company Leonardo.
Since 2024, Baku has signed agreements with Israel, Türkiye, Italy, Pakistan, Serbia and the Czech Republic on arms supplies or cooperation in military technology.
Azerbaijan’s defense industry in focus
For the first time, Hall 4 was devoted entirely to the national exhibition. Participants included the Ministry of Defense Industry, the Ministry of Defense and the Mine Action Agency, as well as Azercosmos and Azersilah.
The Ministry of Defense Industry presented 130 product samples. Locally manufactured exhibits included kamikaze drones, unmanned ground vehicles, small arms, ammunition and artillery systems.
