2026 IDEAS
Exhibition date: 24-27 November, 2026
Exhibition Cycle: Biennial
Exhibition Venue: Karachi, Pakistan
Exhibition Introduction
The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is the premier defence exhibition in South Asia and one of the largest regional events in the sector. It is hosted biennially in Pakistan by the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) and the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP). With a consistent track record of success since its inauguration in 2000, IDEAS has established itself as a landmark event on the global defence exhibition calendar. As the leading defence industry expo, IDEAS serves as the most critical platform for the promotion of international defence systems across the region.
IDEAS 2026, the most strategically significant exhibition in the region, will once again bring together all key industry players from around the world to showcase the latest technological innovations. The 4-day event is exclusively open to trade visitors and high-level official defence delegates.
Exhibition Advantages
IDEAS serves as an unparalleled platform to launch new defence products to targeted audiences across Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It enables direct interaction with renowned delegates, procurement specialists and buyers from all over the world, helping exhibitors acquire new industry leads. Exhibitors can demonstrate their technological achievements through dedicated Mobility Displays, leverage extensive coverage from print and digital media as well as IDEAS’ exclusive newsletters, and directly connect with their target niche markets.
The event offers a high-value opportunity for personalized and interactive marketing, delivering broader exposure than any other marketing channel. IDEAS also provides favorable sponsorship and branding opportunities for participants looking to enhance their influence during the exhibition period.
Previous Edition Data
The previous edition of IDEAS featured a total exhibition area of over 14,000 square meters, with participation from 72 exhibiting countries, 309 international delegates, and 557 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions. It welcomed more than 75,000 professional visitors, hosted 87 high-level conferences with 6 featured speakers, and witnessed the signing of 82 cooperation agreements.
Exhibition Scope
Category A: Weaponry, Ammunition & Turret Systems
Air defense systems, air, ground and coastal defense systems, anti-tank/breaching weapon systems, army ordnance and ammunition, mortars and mortar ammunition, specialized weapon systems and ammunition, guns and ammunition for armored vehicles, >40mm turrets, medium-caliber weapons and ammunition (20-40mm) turrets and mounts, small-caliber weapons and ammunition (<20mm) turrets and mounts, close-in weapon systems, mines and explosives, signal and illumination equipment, igniters and initiation devices, propellants, explosives and charges, fuzes, homing heads and guidance systems, Category A components and parts, and upgrades for Category A equipment.
Category B: Vehicles, Aircraft & Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Main battle tanks (MBTs) and upgraded variants >30 tons, armored vehicles <30 tons, light armored and non-armored vehicles/other vehicles, robotic vehicles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), parachuting and airlift systems, vehicle engines and powertrain systems, amphibious propulsion systems, fuels, lubricants, storage and supply solutions, Category B sub-components and parts, and upgrades for Category B equipment.
Category C: Battlefield Management / C4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance)
C4I systems, observation, navigation and positioning systems, measuring instruments, observation and target acquisition systems, automated liaison systems, fire coordination systems, military space systems, military telecommunication networks, communications equipment, vetronics and on-board systems, detection, information collection and identification systems, camouflage and countermeasure equipment, power supply systems, optical cables, fiber optics and insulation materials, Category C components and parts, and upgrades for Category C equipment.
Category D: Training & Simulation, Support, Protection & Operational Logistics
Training and simulation systems, personnel support and equipment, medical services, casualty handling, field hospital and rescue hygiene solutions, conventional operational protection, Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical (NRBC) protection, operational logistics and facilities, and upgrades for Category D equipment.
Category E: Specialized Equipment: Engineering Operations, Infiltration & Terrain Clearance
Field engineering operations, water fording and diving operations, bridging and obstacle crossing solutions, terrain clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), homeland/domestic security, maintenance operations, crowd control, Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) (including humanitarian relief), and upgrades for Category E equipment.
Category F: Industrial & Logistics Support
Equipment support and packaging, engineering and manufacturing, measurement and testing systems, general components and parts, materials handling solutions, and upgrades for Category F equipment.
Category G: Relevant Industrial Sectors
Testing, measurement and verification, electrical and electronic technology, electronics and computing, thermal and electrical energy, manufacturing and industrial application of metals, plastics, textiles and composite materials, hydraulics, petroleum and chemical industry, optics and optoelectronics, lasers, pyrotechnics, robotics, simulation, and telecommunications.
Category H: Services
Professional bodies, teaching and training institutions, government-related security organizations (police, civil defense), research institutions and laboratories, testing bodies, security and homeland defense consulting firms, technical assistance services, service providers and suppliers, organizers of defence exhibitions and defence-related events, media, professional publications, publishing and printing services, software houses, and other related services.
Category I: Naval Vessels & Equipment
Watercraft, submarines, naval warships, and naval equipment.
