Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial trade fair, is set to become a platform not just for industrial innovation but for high‑level political engagement on defence and security as European capitals accelerate military spending.
At the Hannover Messe 2026 Press Preview for the trade show today, Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe, stressed the growing strategic dimension of this year’s event.
“Not only the industrial turning point but also the new geopolitical situation requires rapid defence technology development,” he said. “Hall 26 will host the Defence Production Arena, with about 50 exhibitors, matchmaking, and guidance for entering the sector, including dual‑use considerations.”
The inclusion of a dedicated defence technology zone follows shifts in European defence policy. NATO members last year agreed to raise defence spending targets sharply, and data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies show Europe’s share of global military expenditure has risen markedly, even as US defence outlays fall in real terms. This has put pressure on European industry and policymakers to translate financial commitments into capability and technology development.
Political participation at Hannover Messe 2026 reflects that shift. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is confirmed to open the fair alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with Brazil as the partner country.
Merz’s attendance underscores Berlin’s focus on defence and industrial policy: Germany is playing a central role in Europe’s defence spending push, with defence minister Boris Pistorius likely to attend and figures from major German defence firms such as Rheinmetall’s chief executive expected to speak on industrial capacity in the context of security and technological independence.
Senior EU officials are also poised to make Hannover Messe a focal point for European industrial and defence policy dialogue. Commission leaders and defence policy representatives traditionally use the event’s EU pavilion and conference stages to outline priorities on funding, research and the role of the European Defence Fund in spurring innovation.
The fair’s programme — which features more than 80 speakers from industry, science and politics — will include sessions on AI, the energy transition, start‑up innovation and defence technology, with leaders from Siemens, NVIDIA, Accenture and others alongside government voices.
Artificial intelligence and automation remain core themes. “Here, the humanoid robot moves from the screen into reality. Much of what we already know are sensors — everything that has been around for a long time is now being brought together into one picture, showing how AI can be applied,” Köckler said. He noted younger generations see rapid technological change as normal, a dynamic he said would shape the future pace of adoption across sectors.
Energy issues tie directly into both industrial competitiveness and defence readiness. “All that we have, and most people probably don’t even know what they’re prompting, how much energy we need. That’s why energy is also an important topic at Hannover Messe,” Köckler said, highlighting hydrogen’s potential as a large‑scale storage medium for renewable energy.
Hannover Messe’s expanded exhibitor roster and redesigned hall layout — oriented around automation and digitalisation, energy and industrial infrastructure, and research and development — reflect organisers’ efforts to present a cohesive showcase of technology and strategic capability. Masterclasses, Roundtables and Speed Dating sessions have been introduced to deepen engagement among visitors, exhibitors and policymakers, the organisers said.
