President Iliana Iotova and Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov will officially open the 17th International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition, HEMUS 2026, in Plovdiv, according to the President’s Press Secretariat and the Ministry’s press service. The exhibition will run until June 6.
Opening Ceremony Details
The head of state will welcome a guard of honour, followed by the official opening ceremony at the International Fair Plovdiv. Expected attendees include Deputy Defence Minister Katerina Gramatikova-Ivanova, Deputy Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Krasimir Kanev, senior officers of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, and representatives from central and local government. During the ceremony, a pair of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will conduct a flyover above the exhibition area.
Exhibition Organisation and Participants
HEMUS 2026 is held under the auspices of the Defence Ministry, the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry, and the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation. The event is primarily organized by the HEMUS-95 Foundation. On the opening day, participants and visitors can watch a capabilities demonstration by the Joint Special Operations Command and the Bulgarian Air Force.
Conference and Forums
As part of the programme, a forum titled “Defence Capabilities, Industrial Capacity, and the Role of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Industry within the European and Allied Defence Ecosystem” will be held in Bulgaria Hall at the Congress Centre on June 4. Later that day, the 13th International Scientific Conference on Research, Technology and Innovation for Defence and Security will commence in Bulgaria Hall. This conference is an integral part of HEMUS 2026 and is organised by the Prof Tsvetan Lazarov Defence Institute.
Live Firings and Demonstrations
On June 5, live firings will take place at the Zmeyovo Central Artillery Technical Test Range, showcasing new developments from Bulgarian and international companies. On June 6, military personnel from the Joint Special Operations Command will conduct a capabilities demonstration near the International Fair Plovdiv. Following the demonstration, exhibitor certificates will be presented by the Deputy Minister of Defence.
