Starting on Monday, Estonian Defence Week will bring together 3,000 domestic and international defense experts and companies over five days to discuss and address pressing security challenges, as well as showcase the latest defense industry solutions.
For the first time in Estonia, separate defense industry events will be merged into one major Defense Week (EDW), beginning on Monday, September 22 at Kultuurikatel with the Defense Innovation Day. Following opening remarks by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, discussions will focus on the future of government, industry, and defense, the role of the war in Ukraine in developing defense technologies, and cross-border innovation cooperation. At the heart of the day will be startup pitches, where cutting-edge defense and dual-use technologies will be presented to investors, end-users, and international stakeholders. The opening day will conclude with the Estonian DefenceTech Meetup, centered on lessons from Ukraine in defense technology and startups’ new innovative ideas.
The week continues with the Baltic Defence Conference (ABCD), held for the 19th time, which gathers policymakers, military officials, academics, analysts, and media representatives to discuss defense issues concerning transatlantic relations, Europe, and the region. This year’s conference theme is “Gates of the Enemy: Building Europe into a Fortress.” Over two days, the focus will be on improving Europe’s military readiness and strengthening NATO’s collective defense.
The central event of EDW is the two-day defense industry exhibition (September 24–25), bringing together 80 leading defense companies from Estonia and abroad. International participants include companies such as SAAB, Airbus, BlackBerry, and Helsing.
The week will also feature the symposium “The Power of Disruption” (September 25), which will gather security experts from 30 different countries. In parallel with the symposium, a hackathon will take place, with more than 60 participants working on real security and defense challenges.
Estonia’s first-ever Defense Week will conclude in Tartu at Ülenurme Airfield with a defense technology demonstration event.
Estonian Defence Week (EDW) Programme
Estonian Defence Week (EDW) at Tallinn Creative Hub - a five days premier international business and inspiration event, dedicated to advancing Estonia's defense and space industries and defence policies.
Early-stage startup, dual use and VC event powered by Tehnopol and NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator
A regional forum for intellectual debate among members of the security and defence community – policymakers, military officials, academics, analysts and media representatives – on defence issues pertinent to NATO and the EU. Organized by the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS)
The Disruptive Approach Symposium offers participants a deep dive into the technological future, where the latest developments in the defense sector will be explored and debated. Beyond technological innovation, the event will also showcase practical experiences, serving as a platform for exchanging insights and creating new solutions. Organized by Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association (EDIA)
Defense Hack Day is an intense one-day event where builders, engineers, and problem-solvers take on real-world security and defense challenges—from counter-drone systems to demining technologies. Think of it as a mini-hackathon: a focused briefing in the morning, a full day of hacking, and a high-energy pitch competition to close it out.
As part of EDW, there will also be a defense industry Tallinn Defence EXPO, focused on Estonian defence industry production and Ukraine's experiences and solutions. This exhibition provides attendees with a unique opportunity to discover members of the Estonian Defence Industy Association's innovative approaches in the defense sector.
EWLive is an event exclusively designed for military and government electromagnetic warfare and CEMA specialists. The event commences with the CEMA/Cost Effective EW Seminar Day on 23 September, followed by two and a half days of live demonstrations on 24-26 September. Each confirmed military delegate is provided with a personalised demonstration schedule to follow throughout the event. Organized by Tangent Link
PAST EVENT: 25 SEPTEMBER SYMPOSIUM "The Power of Disruption"
The Disruptive Approach Symposium offers participants a deep dive into the technological future, where the latest developments in the defense sector will be explored and debated. Beyond technological innovation, the event will also showcase practical experiences, serving as a platform for exchanging insights and creating new solutions.
SIDE EVENT: Defense Hack Day is an intense one-day event where builders, engineers, and problem-solvers take on real-world security and defense challenges Think of it as a mini-hackathon: a focused briefing in the morning, a full day of hacking, and a high-energy pitch competition to close it out. Throughout the day, participants can also join hands-on workshops, including a drone-building session, to gain new skills and inspiration.
SYMPOSIUM BONUS TRACK - Defense Hack Day pitch competition at the end of the day 16:00-17:30
PAST EVENT : 25 SEPTEMBER "Tallinn Defence EXPO"
Exhibitors
Tallinn Defence EXPO is open from 13:00 on 24 September until 17:00 on 25 September
As of today, the following companies have registered for the Tallinn Defence Expo
PAST EVENT : 23-24 SEPTEMBER "The 19th Annual Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD)"
The 19th Annual Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD), organised by the International Centre for Defence and Security and the Estonian Ministry of Defence, will take place on 23-24 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia.
Enemy at the Gates:
Turning Europe into a Fortress
Russia´s war of aggression against Ukraine and evolving transatlantic relations have highlighted vulnerabilities in the defence and security of Europe, underscoring the need for rapid and decisive action to secure the continent.
This year’s conference, titled “Enemy at the Gates: Turning Europe into a Fortress”, will focus on shoring up Europe’s defence in an uncertain security environment. Our discussions will focus on the additional measures NATO Allies and EU Member States must implement to enhance Europe’s military readiness and NATO’s collective defence, the prospects for effective European cooperation to fill military capability gaps, the financing of our common defence efforts, and more.
Since 2006, ABCD has provided a high-level forum for intellectual debate on transatlantic, European and regional defence issues amongst policymakers, military officials, academics, analysts and media representatives. We would be delighted to have you join us for this year’s edition of ABCD which, for the first time, will be held in the framework of Estonian Defence Week.
PAST EVENT : 22 SEPTEMBER - DEFENCE INNOVATION DAY
Defence Innovation Day brings together the boldest minds in defence, technology, and investment to explore how innovation is reshaping the future of security across the NATO alliance and beyond. From cross-border collaboration in the Baltic region to breakthrough funding models and the evolving relationship between industry primes and startups, the day dives into the key forces driving defence transformation.
Taking place on 22 September 2025 in Tallinn, the full-day programme is structured around thematic blocks, each featuring a keynote presentation and a panel discussion. Topics range from regional cooperation and funding mechanisms to operationally tested innovation and startup–industry dynamics. In between, two dedicated startup pitching sessions will showcase cutting-edge defence and dual-use technologies to investors, end-users, and international stakeholders.
Contacts of organiser
Join us at Estonian Defence Week (EDW)
The Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel)
Kursi tn 3, Tallin