BSDA 2026 Show Report: Facts & Figures

The 10th edition of BSDA – Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security – confirmed its position as the leading defence, aerospace and security exhibition in the Black Sea region. Held from 13 to 15 May 2026 at the ROMAERO Complex in Bucharest, Romania, the exhibition brought together defence companies, official delegations, military representatives, government institutions and specialised visitors from across the international defence and security community.

BSDA 2026 gathered more than 650 defence and security companies from 36 countries, demonstrating the growing international interest in Romania and the wider Black Sea region. A strong focus was placed on modern defence technologies, with more than 100 companies presenting UAVs, counter-drone solutions and AI-based applications.

Among the key highlights was the presentation by Turkish manufacturer Otokar of the first Cobra II armoured vehicle assembled at its newly established facility in Mediaș, Romania. This marked an important milestone in the ongoing contract for the delivery of 1,059 Cobra II vehicles to the Romanian Land Forces and underlined the growing role of local industrial cooperation.

Romania’s air force modernisation was also a major focus, particularly the country’s strategic acquisition of F-35 fighter aircraft. The symbolic display and related presentations highlighted Romania’s long-term commitment to strengthening its air power, improving interoperability and contributing to NATO’s collective defence capabilities.

Local defence contractor Pro Optica also attracted attention with the debut of the Anubis 30 unmanned turret mock-up. Designed for Infantry Fighting Vehicles, the system features a 30 mm cannon, coaxial machine gun and advanced in-house electro-optical suites for both commander and gunner.

The United States maintained the largest international presence at the exhibition, with major aerospace and defence companies focusing on interoperability, modernisation and support for the Romanian Armed Forces. International participation also reflected the strategic importance of Romania as a key NATO member on the eastern flank.

Integrated air and missile defence was another central theme of BSDA 2026. Systems such as Rafael’s C-Dome and advanced solutions presented by ASELSAN drew strong interest, reflecting the increasing demand for multi-layered, combat-proven air defence, electronic warfare and counter-UAV capabilities.

Command-and-control deployable solutions were also prominently displayed. Companies including Expandable Defence and Eviden showcased mobile, cyber-secure command posts and deployable infrastructure designed to support modern multi-domain operations.

Overall, BSDA 2026 successfully reinforced its reputation as the most important defence, aerospace and security exhibition in the Black Sea region. With strong international participation, major industrial announcements and a clear focus on UAVs, air defence, AI, armoured vehicles and command-and-control systems, the 10th edition highlighted both the evolution of the exhibition and Romania’s growing strategic role in regional security.

BSDA continues to provide a valuable platform for defence industry networking, regional cooperation and the presentation of modern military technologies, confirming its position as a key meeting point for those shaping the future of defence and security in the Black Sea region and beyond.