Baltics’ Largest Defence & Security Expo SSD 2026 to Kick Off on June 10

Supply, Security & Defence Expo 2026 (SSD 2026) will be held in Tallinn on June 10–11, bringing together nearly 200 companies from NATO countries — the largest international supply chain security, internal security, and defence industry expo in the Baltic states. More than 2,500 visitors have registered for the event at the Estonian Fair Centre, with exhibitors arriving from as far as South Korea and the US. The high-level conference will be opened by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Key Developments This Week

  • NORDSEC cluster expansion: Nordic Defence and Security Cluster NORDSEC, Executive Partner of SSD 2026, announces expansion to welcome members from all Nordic and Baltic countries, building cross-border defence supply chains and a regional hub for defence collaboration
  • Carl Bildt assessment: Former Swedish PM and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt delivers keynote in Tallinn stating Russia does not pose a direct military threat to NATO currently, but warns the American political system is “unpredictable and unreliable” — urges Europe to be able to act independently
  • BALTOPS exercise: 15 NATO countries launch major Baltic Sea naval exercise BALTOPS from Gdynia, Poland, with 30+ vessels and 6,000 military personnel focused on securing freedom of navigation
  • Milrem Netherlands factory: Estonia’s Milrem Robotics opens a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle assembly line in Born, Netherlands, in partnership with VDL Defentec — first units already delivered to Ukraine as part of a 150+ vehicle aid package
  • Gravity Industries demo: Gravity Industries to perform first-ever Jet Suit demonstration in the Baltics at SSD 2026, showcasing tactical mobility for maritime interdiction, border security, and rapid response operations
  • Rantelon drone jammer: Estonian company Rantelon unveils fourth-generation portable counter-drone jammer PJ-4058 at SSD 2026, capable of countering low-frequency FPV drones increasingly used on the Ukraine battlefield
  • Lithuania defence hub: Analysis by law firm RODL finds Lithuania has become the defence industry hub of the Baltics through lower corporate tax (17%), triple R&D cost deduction, free economic zones, and seven industrial parks — while Estonia’s changing tax policies create investor uncertainty
  • Underground mobility: German company Romold showcases modular trench system ROM-Trench at SSD 2026 via Lithuanian representative Ammo Baltic — a click-and-plug covered trench solution addressing drone-observed battlefields
  • Layered C-UAS planning: Omnisys presents BRO-CUAS, a combat-proven mission planning system for layered counter-UAS operations on NATO’s Eastern Flank, supporting the Baltic Drone Wall initiative
  • German-Baltic conference: German-Baltic Defence Industry Conference 2026 announced for 29 October in Vilnius, focusing on the strategic partnership between Germany, the Baltic States, and Ukraine

Defence Industry Dimension

With SSD 2026 doubling in size from the inaugural 2025 event — from 88 to nearly 200 exhibitors — the expo reflects the explosive growth of the Baltic defence sector. The convergence of NORDSEC’s Nordic-Baltic industrial network, Lithuania’s aggressive investment-friendly policies, and the region’s position as a frontline testing ground for counter-drone and autonomous systems positions the Baltic states as an increasingly important node in Europe’s defence industrial base. The announcement of SSD 2027 in Riga signals continued momentum.