BSDA 2026 kicks off in Bucharest with over 550 defence companies

Black Sea Defense and Aerospace (BSDA), the leading event in the Black Sea region dedicated to the defence and security industry, kicks off on Wednesday in Bucharest at the Romaero Baneasa platform.

According to a press release, the 10th edition, marking 20 years since its launch, is also the largest organised to date, with more than 550 exhibiting companies from 36 countries, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Alongside leaders of the global industry, over the three days of BSDA more than 30,000 visitors and over 350 high-ranking Romanian and foreign officials are expected to attend.

The first two days of the event are reserved exclusively for official, military and business visitors, while on the third day access to the outdoor exhibition will also be open to the general public.

Throughout all three days, participation is also open to representatives of Romanian companies and local authorities, subject to prior registration, in order to encourage partnerships and investment projects in Romania.

'While the 2024 edition focused primarily on artillery systems and land platforms, BSDA 2026 reconfirms the growing interest in the acquisition of autonomous systems, with more than 100 companies presenting solutions in the fields of drones, counter-drone systems and artificial intelligence-based applications. Several Ukrainian companies specialising in the development of these technologies will showcase their innovations alongside the world's largest defence industry companies,' the press release said.

Companies already supplying equipment to the Romanian Armed Forces or targeting Romanian military procurement programmes will be present, including: Lockheed Martin - manufacturer of the fifth-generation F-35 multirole aircraft; Raytheon - producer of the Patriot system; Hanwha Aerospace - supplier of K9 self-propelled howitzers; Otokar - manufacturer of Cobra armoured vehicles; Leonardo - producer of the C-27J Spartan aircraft currently in service with the Romanian Air Force; Rafael - supplier of the Spyder air defence system; ASFAT- manufacturer of the corvette Akhisar, the first new vessel to enter service with the Romanian Naval Forces after 1990; alongside General Dynamics, L3Harris, Elbit Systems, Thales, Damen, Rheinmetall, Hyundai Rotem, MBDA and Airbus, as well as firearms manufacturers such as Beretta, SIG Sauer, FN Herstal, Glock and Colt.

The largest representation once again comes from the United States, with 50 exhibiting companies, followed by Germany with 37 manufacturers, South Korea with 27, and Turkey and France with 21 companies each. The Romanian defence industry is represented both by established companies in the sector, such as Romarm, Aerostar, Pro Optica, BlueSpace Technology and MARCTEL, and by an expanded participation of manufacturers from sectors with dual-use applications. This year's edition brings a greater number of companies interested in accessing projects within the defence industry and collaborating with international integrators present at BSDA.

According to the press release, alongside the equipment and technologies proposed by companies, the event also hosts an exhibition of equipment currently in service with the Romanian Armed Forces, including the Special Operations Forces, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications Service, the Ministry of Interior and the United States Army, as well as a series of thematic conferences dedicated to the five military operational domains.

This year's edition is held under the patronage of Romania's President, Nicusor Dan.

The Ministry of National Defence is participating at BSDA with stands presenting educational opportunities and military career options. Outdoors, the Romanian Army will display weapons systems and combat equipment to the public.

Among the exhibits, the Romanian Land Forces will showcase PIRANHA V troop carriers, 84M infantry fighting vehicles equipped with Spike missiles, the Gepard anti-aircraft system, BAYRAKTAR drones, VAMTAC S3 tactical vehicles, Cobra 2 light armoured tactical vehicles (ATBTU), a HIMARS launcher, as well as various types of radar systems.

The Special Operations Forces Command will present electro-optical and communications equipment, gear used for parachute and diving insertion, state-of-the-art combat equipment, drones, weapons, electric motorcycles and ATVs.

The Romanian Air Force will display IAR 330 PUMA SOCAT and IAR 330 PUMA LRM helicopters, an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, a TPS 79 R mobile radar, an EOD vehicle, CBRN reconnaissance vehicles and a PATRIOT system, while Romanian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom will conduct flyovers above the capital.

The Naval Forces will be represented by personnel and equipment from the 39th Divers Centre and the 307th Marine Infantry Regiment 'Heracleea', while the 'Mircea cel Batran' Naval Academy will present the ASMINES research project - a surface naval drone developed in cooperation with economic partners.

Meanwhile, the Defence CBRN and Ecology Research and Innovation Centre will exhibit a chemical agent monitoring system using an unmanned platform, a robotic ground device for CBRN decontamination, and an unmanned aerial system for neutralising drifting naval mines detected on the sea surface. The Naval Forces Research and Innovation Centre will present an autonomous surface vehicle to the public.

BSDA is organised by TNT Productions Romania, in partnership with the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - ANCEX, the Ministry of Justice, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the Special Telecommunications Service, with the support of the United States Embassy in Bucharest.

Photo: BSDA