Defence Modernisation Accelerates in CEE: Who Will Shape the Future of Armoured Warfare?

Future Armoured Vehicles: Central and Eastern Europe Conference 2026

With defence modernisation accelerating across Central and Eastern Europe, the regional armoured vehicle market is projected to grow to at least £7.51 billion by 2030. This surge reflects urgent priorities for enhanced mobility, protection, and interoperability as NATO’s eastern flank strengthens in response to evolving security threats.

The 12th Annual Future Armoured Vehicles: Central and Eastern Europe Conference will act as a strategic platform for collaboration. Across two focused days, military decision-makers, procurement authorities, and leading technology providers will engage in dynamic discussions, case studies, and solution-driven sessions. From regional capability development to cross-border interoperability, the event delivers actionable insights that shape armoured vehicle programmes for the decade ahead.

What makes this year truly exceptional is the seniority and diversity of our speaker line-up, including three Major Generals and four Brigadier Generals, representing multiple nations and commands. Their presence ensures unparalleled insights into strategic priorities, operational challenges, and future armoured vehicle programmes.

You can view the conference website here:
Future Armoured Vehicles: Central and Eastern Europe Conference

Download the Full Brochure

The latest brochure highlights key updates for the conference, including:

The only armoured platform-specific event in the region
A strongly focused agenda addressing challenges such as modernising legacy assets, enhancing the Iron Triangle and training protocols, interoperability and data sharing, integration, international and industry cooperation, and enhanced procurement processes
Presentations delivered by senior leaders from Czechia, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and NATO
A unique forum bringing together international and industry partners to drive innovation and cooperation
Actionable insights into how armoured warfare has changed during the Ukraine conflict and how it will continue to evolve as nations learn from these lessons

You can read the full brochure here.

What’s New for Future Armoured Vehicles: Central and Eastern Europe 2026?

Updates on Current Swiss Armament Projects: New Platforms to Develop Swiss Heavy Forces
Major General Yves Gaechter, Commander, Land Forces, Swiss Armed Forces
Discussion on Swiss armoured capabilities, the introduction of new platforms (artillery, APCs, reconnaissance vehicles), and plans for enhanced integration.

Enhancing NATO Interoperability and Training Protocols
Major General Constantin Nicolaescu, Chief of Staff HQ, Multinational Brigade South-East-Sibiu, NATO
An examination of MND-SE’s role in improving NATO armoured platform interoperability, advancing collective defence and domain integration, and refining training protocols to boost warfighter readiness, while addressing the challenges of integrating diverse multinational platforms.

Navigating How Sweden is Upgrading its Armoured Fleets to Operate in Subarctic Conditions
Major General Jonny Lindfors, Commander, Swedish Army
Insights into Sweden’s modernisation efforts following NATO accession, balancing mobility and lethality in harsh terrain, and future procurement plans for Stridvagn 123 MBTs.

The Military 2032+ Plan: Mapping the Technological Challenges of Upgrading Current and Future Armoured Vehicle Fleets
Brigadier General Michael Janisch, Director, Armaments and Defence Technology Agency, Austrian Armed Forces
Exploration of Austria’s Military 2032+ technical aims, challenges in modernising armoured fleets, and expected future developments to enhance capability.

Enhancing Mobility, Lethality and Situational Awareness: Modernising Portugal’s Armoured Vehicles
Brigadier General Antonio Jose Fernandes de Oliveira, Commander, Mechanised Brigade, Portuguese Army
An overview of Portugal’s modernisation programme, anticipated capability improvements, and future directions to counter emerging threats.

Lessons Learned in the Ukraine-Russia War: New Approaches to Using Armoured Vehicles
Colonel Yevhen Shamataliuk, Deputy Commander, LITPOLUKR Brigade
Analysis of current armoured vehicle strategies in Ukraine, Russia’s battlefield use of armoured vehicles, and Ukraine’s evolving tactics to maintain operational advantage, including future developments to counter UAV threats.

You can view the full agenda here.

Connect with the Future Armoured Vehicles Community

Join a global audience of military and industry leaders shaping the future of armoured vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe.

Previous military attendees include:
Albanian Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Austrian Armed Forces, British Army, Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition, Consulate of Oman, Czech Armed Forces, Department of Defence Australia, Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, FDF, FOI, Finabel – The European Land Force Commanders Organisation, Hungarian Ministry of Defence, Irish Defence Force, Israeli Ministry of Defence, Italian Army, Lithuanian Land Force Command, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), OCCAR-EA, Polish Armed Forces, Slovakian Ministry of Defence, Slovenian Armed Forces, Spanish Army, and UK Defence and Security Exports.

Previous industry attendees include:
Aselsan, BAE Systems Hägglunds AB, Bold Valuable Technology Spain SL, CES Advanced Armour, EuroTrophy GmbH, General Dynamics, Hanwha Aerospace Europe, Hyundai Rotem, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, Leonardo DRS Land Electronics, Microflown AVISA, Milrem Robotics, Moog Defence, NAMMO R&D Department, Nurol Makina, Otokar, Patria Group, RENK Test System GmbH, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH (RLS), Roketsan AS, SSB, ST Engineering, Soucy International Inc, Thales UK, and UkrSmartTech.

You can view the previous attendee list here.

Showcase Your Brand

Whether through exhibition booths, branded networking, or thought-leadership sessions, sponsorship guarantees visibility among senior stakeholders driving future armoured vehicle programmes across Central and Eastern Europe.

You can register your interest in sponsorship here.

Secure Your Place

Prefer to join as a delegate? Take advantage of our early bird discount and save £200 when you book by 6 March 2026. International active military and government personnel can attend for just £798.

You can reserve your ticket here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Prague in May 2026.

Kind regards,
The Future Armoured Vehicles Conference Team