# RAFF Military Textile & SAHA Istanbul

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2026/02/raff-military-textile-saha-istanbul/
- Published: 2026-02-04T18:35:33+01:00
- Author: Eray Yükseloğlu

[**RAFF Military Textile**](https://www.raff.com.tr/) has been a member of [**SAHA Istanbul**](https://www.raff.com.tr/en/blog-en/company-news/raff-military-textile-joins-saha-istanbul/)
for many years, and throughout that time, we have grown and adapted within this 
ecosystem. SAHA Istanbul represents Türkiye’s and **Europe’s largest defence and
aerospace cluster**, and being part of it has shaped how we position ourselves, 
build partnerships, and engage with the global defence industry.

At the **5th Global Strategies Conference in Defence & Aviation Industry** in Antalya,
we had the opportunity to meet with the General Manager of SAHA Istanbul. Upon learning
about our presence on **Military Africa**, they invited us to write about the upcoming**
SAHA Expo 2026** — and we were glad to accept. Below is what the exhibition holds
this year.

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**About SAHA 2026**

**RAFF Military Textile** will be present at [**SAHA 2026 — International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition**](https://sahaexpo.com/en/),
to be held at the **Istanbul Expo Center on 5–9 May 2026**. SAHA 2026 goes beyond
a conventional trade show: it is a results-driven arena where capabilities are proven,
procurement priorities become clear, and partnerships progress from intent to implementation.
Organised by [**SAHA Istanbul**](https://sahaistanbul.org.tr/en/), the exhibition
will convene the global ecosystem across **100,000+ sqm** and welcome **1,500+ exhibitors**,
positioning Istanbul as a high-density hub for strategic cooperation.

**A Track Record of Results**

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![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-scaled.png)

At RAFF, we are preparing our presence around the show’s vision — **“Rule Technology,
Shape the Future.”** The 2024 edition delivered proven results: **1,478 companies
from 120+ countries**, **25,000+** scheduled meetings, **200+** product launches,**
133** cooperation agreements, and **USD 6.2 billion** in business volume. Building
on this performance, **SAHA 2026** will sharpen its emphasis on **investment-ready
technology portfolios**, **scalable production capability**, **supply-chain partnerships**,
and **export-driven value chain integration**.

**Direct Access to Decision-Makers**

What draws us to SAHA 2026 is direct access to both commercial and official delegations.
Hosted buyers and procurement teams will evaluate capabilities on-site — speeding
up supplier selection, co-production routes, programme-based cooperation, and long-
term capacity planning — while institutional decision-makers engage with the ecosystem’s
capacity landscape to reinforce coordination and trust.

**Beyond the Exhibition Floor**

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Another major innovation at the exhibition is the expanded **Outdoor & Naval Exhibition
Area**, supported by naval asset visits at **Sarayburnu** and **Ataköy**. This will
enable close engagement with full-scale platforms, while live demonstrations and
competitions — including the **FPV Drone Area**, **SAHA UGV Challenge**, and **SAHA
Rover Challenge** — will showcase performance under scenario-driven conditions.

A key differentiator is **World Drone Wars** — a performance-focused, first-of-its-
kind platform where FPV technologies are tested under realistic warfare conditions.
This accelerates technological maturation and reinforces Türkiye’s leading position
in FPV capability development.

**Knowledge, Innovation & Investment**

Beyond the exhibition showcase, **SAHA Talks** and keynote sessions will address
priority agendas through a decision-maker lens — **digital transformation, AI, dual-
use technologies**, and the evolving threat environment. In the space domain, the
planetarium-inspired **Space Dome** will convene international guests, astronauts,
industry leaders, and decision-makers for panels and keynotes.

At the intersection of innovation and investment, SAHA 2026 will enable targeted
matchmaking among **startups, scale-ready SMEs, corporate investors**, and strategic
partners — particularly in dual-use areas aligned with **NATO DIANA** and the **
NATO Innovation Fund (NIF)**. Innovation will be assessed through **supply-chain
readiness**, **scalability**, and **market access**.

**A Practical Accelerator for 2026**

The message is straightforward: if your 2026 priorities include **exports, supplier
positioning, co-production**, or **technology partnering**, SAHA 2026 is a practical
accelerator. I would encourage every company in our sector to confirm participation
early — and to come prepared with a meeting plan that turns visibility into measurable
outcomes.

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