About DSEI Germany
Introduction DSEI Germany
Built to turn Europe's defence ambition into capability, cooperation and results.
DSEI Germany brings together government, military, and industry leaders in Hannover to drive practical outcomes during a pivotal era for European security. Supporting the objectives of the Bundeswehr, Europe, and NATO, the tradeshow connects next-generation defence systems with strategic dialogue across every domain. It provides a dedicated stage for navigating procurement, aligning capabilities, and forging the long-term cooperation Europe needs today.
Every domain. One destination.
The exhibition spans 125,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space at Hanover Fairgrounds. Eight specialised exhibition areas, each organised by domain, make it easy to navigate and engage where it matters most to you.
Europe is taking greater responsibility for its defence, and Germany is leading the way
As Europe’s largest economy and NATO’s second-largest defence spender, the country has committed to increasing defence expenditure to 5 percent of GDP.
Responding to these demands requires closer alignment between operational requirements, technology development, and industrial readiness. Cloud-based command and communication systems, autonomy, and artificial intelligence have already demonstrated operational value, while emerging areas such as quantum computing remain at an earlier stage of development.
Stronger together: a meeting point for NATO and the EU
Strengthening collective security requires coordination across national and institutional boundaries. DSEI Germany provides a structured environment where NATO and EU leaders, policymakers, and industry representatives can engage on shared challenges, capability gaps, and approaches to resilience.
By bringing these stakeholders together in a single setting, DSEI Germany supports common understanding around standards, interoperability, and investment priorities. This contributes to more aligned planning and strengthens cooperation across allied nations at a time when strategic coordination is increasingly critical.
Strengthening the European pillar in NATO
DSEI Germany will be the leading platform for defence and security in Germany and we are proud to support the country's leading role in strengthening the European pillar in NATO, at a time when the continent is taking greater responsibility for its defence. The overarching theme for the show – securing Europe by advancing defence capability and strategic cooperation – reflects Germany's role as a stabilising force within the EU and NATO and underscores Europe's commitment to investing in its defence, strengthening industrial capacity, and ensuring credible deterrence today and tomorrow.
Expertise that shapes the show
DSEI Germany's advisory board brings together respected senior military figures from the air force, army and navy. Their experience covers land, air, space, naval, cyber and IT, as well as defence planning and NATO transformation. Their insight helps ensure DSEI Germany reflects the priorities shaping Germany's defence and that of its allies, from strategy to capability.
General (ret.) Chris Badia
Gen (ret.) Badia began his career in the military in the German Air Force in the 1980s, first flying F-4 Phantoms. In the following decades, he commanded, among other units, Fighter Wing 71 in Wittmund, during which time he served in Afghanistan. Later on, he became Commander of the EATC (European Air Transport Command) in Eindhoven (Netherlands) and Head of Planning at the Federal Ministry of Defence, before being promoted to General and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation of NATO in 2022. Before his retirement, Badia was the highest ranking German officer in the Alliance.
Air · NATO
Lieutenant General (ret.) Frank Leidenberger
Former CEO, BWI GmbH
Lt Gen (ret.) Leidenberger joined the Bundeswehr in 1977. Among his roles he served as Commander of Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion and was deployed to the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina and, later, to ISAF in Kabul. In 2009-10, Leidenberger served as Commander of the German deployment contingent to Afghanistan, returning in 2015 as Chief of Staff for ISAF’s Resolute Support mission. Leidenberger’s last position was as CEO of BWI GmbH, the IT services provider of the Bundeswehr, which he held until October 2025.
Land • IT
Vice Admiral (ret.) Frank Lenski
Former Commander, German Fleet and Supporting Forces
Vice Admiral (ret.) Frank Lenski joined the Bundeswehr in 1981. In the following years he became Commander Technical Group, Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin”, then Head of Division at the Federal Ministry of Defence and Head of planning in the Joint Support Service, and later Chief of Staff in the German Navy Headquarters in Rostock. During his last assignment, Lenski held the role of Commander of the German Fleet and Supporting Forces, and Vice Chief of the German Navy at Navy Headquarters.
Naval
What you’ll take away
DSEI Germany is designed around the outcomes defence stakeholders need to achieve. Access, understanding, and connection sit at the centre of the show experience, supported by a structure that enables targeted engagement.
Engagement with government and defence leadership:
Meet senior military leaders, procurement authorities, and government representatives through structured meetings and formal programmes that support procurement discussion and strategic exchange.Building connections across the defence ecosystem
Connect with industry leaders, integrators, SMEs, and technology providers through structured networking, pre-arranged meetings, and on-floor engagement that supports long-term collaboration.Understanding capability priorities and direction
Gain insight into how policy, operational need, and technology development align across land, air, naval, cyber, information, space, and support domains.Multi-domain exhibition structure
Explore dedicated areas covering Air & Space, Land, Naval, Cyber & Information, Joint Support Systems, and Industrial Solutions. This structure enables focused discussion while supporting cross-domain integration.A multi-domain exhibition structure
The exhibition spans 75,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space at Messegelände Hannover, organised by clearly defined domains to support efficient navigation and targeted engagement.
Discover the Zones at DSEI Germany
DSEI Germany is organised into clearly defined zones to help visitors navigate the exhibition and focus on areas aligned with their operational or industrial interests. Each zone combines live demonstrations, exhibits, and networking opportunities to support understanding, collaboration, and capability assessment.
Beyond the exhibition floor
Together, these features create an environment where engagement is purposeful, and connections are built with intent. Whether attending to meet decision-makers, explore collaboration, assess capabilities, or expand networks, the structure of DSEI Germany supports outcomes that extend beyond the event itself.
