A meeting place for civil and military defence
National Defence Expo is a meeting place that brings together Sweden’s key stakeholders in both civil and military defence.
By bringing together public authorities, companies and voluntary organisations, the expo creates the conditions for dialogue, collaboration and concrete knowledge exchange.
National Defence Expo aims to raise awareness of the importance of total defence and its crucial role in Sweden’s preparedness and crisis management.
It highlights responsibilities, roles and new solutions that contribute to a stronger and more coordinated total defence – with a clear focus on how collaboration works in practice.
After visiting National Defence Expo, you should feel well informed.
You should leave with new perspectives, practical insights and a clearer understanding of how your own role connects with the work of others. National Defence Expo provides opportunities to initiate new partnerships, strengthen existing relationships and explore new ways of working together across sectors and organisations
National Defence Expo is held in parallel with SKYDD – the Nordic region’s largest security trade fair – and together they form one of the Nordic region’s most important meeting places for security, preparedness and total defence.
How National Defence Expo came to life
During SKYDD in October 2024, Monika Johannesen Widholm, Head of Event – Resilience & Mobility, put a direct question to a group of key industry stakeholders and potential co-organisers:
“Are we missing a dedicated meeting place for the entire total defence community – and would you like to help build it?”
What started as a single conversation quickly turned into something much bigger. In May 2025, a press release announcing National Defence Expo was issued. Since then, the initiative has developed at a pace rarely seen for a new trade fair. From the very beginning, interest from exhibitors, partners and public authorities has been strong.
By November 2025, it had already become clear that both SKYDD and National Defence Expo would need to expand their exhibition areas to meet demand. A clear indication that the need is real – and that the timing is right.
”I saw a gap – and a need that no one had really taken ownership of. Total defence requires genuine collaboration. And if that collaboration is to work in practice, there must be a place where it can actually happen. National Defence Expo is built on real needs – not on ideas developed behind a desk,” says Monika Johannesen Widholm.
This is a clear example of what can happen when courage, strong industry commitment and the ability to act come together. National Defence Expo is not just a new trade fair – it is a direct response to the challenges of our time.
Frequently asked questions and answers
What is National Defence Expo?
National Defence Expo is a new trade fair, held in parallel with SKYDD in 2026, with the aim of:
- Raising awareness of the importance of total defence
- Promoting collaboration between civilian, military, private and public stakeholders
- Highlighting the role and responsibilities of public authorities in Sweden’s preparedness
- Showcasing new solutions for future crisis management
Who will be exhibiting?
- Public authorities within civil and military defence and societal security
- The Swedish Armed Forces and civilian defence organisations
- Companies in security technology, communications, logistics, cybersecurity and related areas
- Voluntary organisations with key roles in Sweden’s total defence
Who will attend?
- Decision-makers from municipalities, regions and public authorities
- Buyers and procurement professionals within security and crisis preparedness
- Representatives from the Swedish Armed Forces, civil defence, rescue services and other emergency services
- Suppliers and technology developers within societal security
- Media, opinion leaders and an engaged public
What’s happening at National Defence Expo?
- Open stages featuring panel discussions, future outlooks and presentations
- Closed seminars for authorised participants
- Networking sessions and dialogue forums
- Opportunities for business development, innovation and collaboration
- A dedicated drone area showcasing live demonstrations by exhibiting companies
- A comprehensive exhibition with a large exhibition area and excellent opportunities to build new business contacts
The Nordic region’s safest trade fairs under one roof
SKYDD, the Nordic region’s largest trade fair for the security industry, is held in parallel with National Defence Expo. Here, you will meet suppliers, public authorities and experts presenting solutions in security technology, guarding and protective services, and societal security.
Contact us
Do you have questions about exhibiting, participation or partnerships at National Defence Expo?
Here you can get in touch with us to discuss opportunities, collaboration and practical information ahead of the exhibition. We will help you with participation options, formats and the conditions for taking part.
