Sharpened strategic positioning

With more than 1,400 exhibitors from 45 countries (2025: 998) and around 26,500 trade visitors from 100 countries (2025: 18,576), ENFORCE TAC 2026 has completed the most important step of its development to date. Whereas dynamic growth was the most visible change in 2025, the crowning development in 2026 was the achievement of structural systemic relevance. Europe’s leading trade fair for security and defence has established itself as the top European platform for strategic discussions, industrial scaling, and networked security architecture. ENFORCE TAC was held under the patronage of Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the first time in 2026. The honorary sponsor was the Federation of German Security and Defence Industries (Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie, BDSV). Furthermore, the content framework represented by the central theme of “Networked Security” sharpened the trade fair’s positioning in the market.

The growth of ENFORCE TAC in 2026 was reflected not only in surface area and participant numbers, but more importantly by the trade fair’s depth of content and systemic perspective. The first-ever Enforce Tac Conference added a stand-alone conference dimension to the trade fair format. The strategic discussions held on the Main Stage and the innovation-driven presentations on the Inno Stage made it clear that Europe’s ability to defend itself is increasingly dependent on speed of development and production, industrial scaling, and reliable partnerships.

Key lines of discussion revolved around the protection of critical infrastructures, issues involving digital resilience, and the meshing of cyber capabilities with conventional defence capabilities. Overarching themes included the essential importance of reliable international cooperation relationships, technological innovation, strategic goal-setting, and operational realism. “A key outcome of many discussions was the shared realization that European security will only be viable if industrial capacity, technological innovation, and political will are closely intertwined,” explains Jasmin Rutka, ENFORCE TAC Event Director. She goes on to say that “Enforce Tac 2026 has made it clear that it provides the ideal setting for precisely this kind of structured dialogue.”

Comprehensive defence in collaboration with the security and defence industry

This development will be institutionally supported in the future by the event’s honorary sponsor, the Federation of German Security and Defence Industries (BDSV). BDSV CEO Dr. Hans Christoph Atzpodien likewise affirms the key role played by this trade fair: “ENFORCE TAC shows exactly how comprehensive defence works in practice: with technology independence, resilient supply chains, and close links between product development and real-world operations.”

Armored Forces Area staged for the first time in 2026

ENFORCE TAC introduced a separate focal point for ground-based military capabilities in 2026: the Armored Forces Area. This special area, a carefully thought-out addition to the trade fair’s programme, will be firmly integrated into the hall structure and developed further in 2027 and beyond. It is a clear example of the trade fair’s strategy of content enlargement.

Focus on networked security

Numerous companies used ENFORCE TAC 2026 to present new systems in the areas of unmanned platforms, sensors, cyber-technologies, and networked deployment solutions. There was a clear recognition that innovative solutions work best when they are deployed together on the basis of coordinated processes, interoperable systems, and reliable partnerships.

24 delegations from 16 countries travelled to Nuremberg

Twenty-four international delegations from 16 countries utilized ENFORCE TAC 2026 as a platform for professional exchanges, discussions of industrial policy, and extended bilateral cooperation arrangements. The active participation of so many players underscores the growing importance of Enforce Tac as the top European venue for decision-makers from military forces, government agencies, government ministries, and procurement organizations.

Enforce Tac 2027 is almost completed booked out

The fact that ENFORCE TAC 2027 is almost completely booked out is a clear sign of consistently strong demand. It also confirms the effectiveness of Enforce Tac’s strategic positioning as the leading European platform for the security and defence industry. Nuremberg’s Mayor Markus König also stresses this point: “Under the patronage of Germany’s Federal Chancellor, this year’s Enforce Tac has not only lived up to, but actually strengthened its role as the leading trade fair in Germany for internal and external security. As the top exhibition venue in Europe, NürnbergMesse has created the leading platform for dialogue on one of the most important topics of our time. Furthermore, the positive experience of the many domestic and foreign exhibitors and guests has confirmed Bavaria’s leading role in the security and defence industry.”

The changes made in 2026, including a clearly defined central theme, a considerably broader supporting programme, and new formats were very well received by the participating representatives of industry, government, and politics. This year’s event marks a milestone for ENFORCE TAC as it successfully positioned itself as the leading European platform for the security and defence industry, where debates are structured, fresh impetus is generated, and the full range of security-relevant systemic issues are addressed.

Important note: Only for members of military forces, government agencies, and organizations charged with law enforcement or military security duties.