Domestic-made weapons debut at Saha Expo 2024, set to draw $2B deals

Türkiye’s SAHA Expo International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair, taking place during the current Russia-Ukraine crisis and escalating Israel-Iran tensions, is expected to host more than 500 official and commercial delegations.

The event is expected to attract considerable attention from regional countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran. Experts predict that this event will result in agreements worth $2 billion.

The Istanbul Expo Center (IFM) will host the SAHA Expo from Oct. 22 to 26. The event will span a total area of 90,000 square meters, with 80,000 square meters allocated for indoor activities and 10,000 square meters for outdoor activities.

The expo, organized by SAHA Istanbul with the presidency’s endorsement and supported by six ministries and the Defense Industry Agency, is expected to accommodate more than 1,200 businesses.

Levent Kerim Uca, the secretary general of SAHA Istanbul, emphasized the significant expansion of the fair. He pointed out that it started as a tiny event in 2018 but has since grown to occupy 40,000 square meters in 2021, 60,000 square meters in 2022, and currently spans an impressive 90,000 square meters.

He claimed that there is no other instance worldwide of a fair that focuses on a certain area seeing such quick growth, with a yearly increase of 50%.

Expanding global impact

The event will showcase 200 exhibitors from 40 nations across five continents, including the United States, Italy, France, China, India, and South Korea. More than 500 officials and business delegations will participate, including 150 commercial procurement teams. Prominent participants consist of delegates from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

Uca further stated that the SAHA Expo’s objective is to accommodate around 400 authorized representatives from various nations and international organizations, including NATO. The NATO DIANA startup initiative will convene an official meeting at the expo.

The event will unite experts from many sectors, ranging from high-ranking government officials to lower-level representatives from participating companies.

In 2022, SAHA Expo successfully enabled 114 transactions with a total value of $1.4 billion. This year, it is anticipated that the expectations will surpass the $2 billion mark.

Uca highlighted the growing worldwide demand and SAHA Expo’s preparedness to fulfill it, urging all interested parties to witness the newest technical progress in the defense, aerospace, and space sectors.