RAFF Military Textile has been a member of 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.
About SAHA 2026
RAFF Military Textile will be present at SAHA 2026 — International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition, 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, 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
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
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.