In 2024, Future Forces Exhibition and Forum confirmed its transformation from a specialised event into a respected international platform for security and defence. With more than 8,500 participants from over 70 countries, 340 exhibitors from 34 nations, and 45 expert conferences and workshops, the growth was evident not only in numbers, but in relevance. According to Adam Drnek, Executive Director & Partner of the project, the real value of Future Forces lies in its ability to connect users, industry and experts in a practical, non-political setting — at a time when the security environment, technologies and operational needs are changing faster than ever.
2024 was a record year for Future Forces in many respects. Looking back today, what do you personally see as its greatest success?
For me, the greatest success is not a single metric, but the confirmation that Future Forces has become a platform that genuinely matters for practice. It is no longer about showcasing technologies for their own sake. It is about discussing how they are actually used, what works, what does not, and what needs to change.
In 2024, it was very clear that participants came with concrete expectations. They wanted to exchange experience, understand new principles and identify real solutions. That shift in mindset is, in my view, more important than any individual number.
Was there anything that genuinely surprised you?
Rather than being surprised, I would say that certain trends became very clear. One of them is the growing interest in the defence and security sector from actors who were not traditionally part of it. We are seeing more companies entering the field with dual-use technologies, bringing experience from other industries, faster innovation cycles and different ways of thinking.
This is closely linked to the fact that traditional defence suppliers are under significant pressure in terms of production and human capacities. The ecosystem is changing, and that change was clearly reflected in the structure of exhibitors, topics and discussions at Future Forces.
Future Forces 2024 grew sharply across almost all indicators. What were the main drivers behind this growth?
The growth has several layers. One is internal: long-term work on the brand, the content and the position of Future Forces within the defence and security community. The other is external and relates to a fundamental change in the geopolitical and security environment.
That change began in 2022, with the second phase of the war in Ukraine. Since then, defence and security have become a central issue across Europe. Preparedness, capabilities and technological adaptation are no longer abstract concepts — they are practical necessities.
There has also been a clear shift in public perception. Defence is no longer seen as a controversial or marginal topic. There is broader acceptance that investment in security is essential, and that has had a direct impact on participation and engagement.
How has this changing environment influenced the content and structure of the event?
The pace of change is probably the most important factor. Technologies — particularly in areas such as unmanned systems, digital solutions or artificial intelligence — evolve in very short cycles. Operational experience shows very quickly what works and what does not, and industry must be able to adapt accordingly.
For us, this means continuously adjusting the content to reflect real needs. Lessons learned from current conflicts and operational environments are directly shaping the topics discussed, the questions being asked and the types of solutions being sought.
Did the 2024 edition change how Future Forces is perceived by armed forces, institutions and industry?
I would not say it fundamentally changed perceptions, but it clearly strengthened and confirmed them. Future Forces was already seen as a relevant platform, and 2024 reinforced that position — both domestically and internationally.
The high level of participation by official delegations, institutions and expert communities demonstrated trust in the platform. That trust is essential, because it allows for open, technically focused discussion without the need for political positioning.
You repeatedly emphasise that Future Forces is not a political forum. Why is this distinction important?
Because it defines our role very clearly. There are excellent conferences dedicated to political and geopolitical debate. That is not what we aim to replicate.
Our role is practical and technical. We focus on connecting those who develop technologies, those who procure and operate them, and those who bring real operational experience. We identify needs, capability gaps and practical challenges — and we create a space where these can be discussed openly and professionally.
Cross-domain cooperation is a recurring theme. Why is this so critical today?
Modern defence and security no longer function in isolated domains. Logistics, medical support, cyber defence, command and control, and emerging technologies are deeply interconnected.
Many professionals are still used to working within narrowly defined silos. One of the key added values of Future Forces is that it deliberately breaks those silos. It places people into a broader context, allowing them to understand how their own expertise fits into the wider system. This is often where the most meaningful cooperation begins.
Looking ahead to 2026, how should Future Forces evolve?
We see 2026 as the next logical step in the platform’s development. It will be larger in scale, with plans to utilise the entire exhibition area, offering more space and better conditions for participants. When we started, the event occupied a single hall; today it has grown to encompass almost the entire venue.
More importantly, it will be deeper in content. Some topics now require dedicated formats and focused discussion. Areas such as electronic warfare, autonomous and robotic systems, medical support, CBRN defence, logistics and Host Nation Support, or innovations are becoming increasingly critical for real operational readiness, and we are strengthening specialised conferences accordingly.
At the same time, we are careful to preserve strong cross-domain interaction. The platform’s value lies in connecting specialised communities rather than isolating them.
How does the broader European context influence this direction?
Europe is facing fundamental questions of self-reliance, industrial capacity and preparedness. In many respects, it is becoming clear that Europe must strengthen its own capabilities and resilience.
Future Forces does not aim to address these issues at the political level. Instead, we see our role as providing a practical environment where users, industry and experts can connect, exchange experience and contribute to strengthening these capabilities in tangible ways.
What do you see as the main challenge moving forward?
Maintaining quality while growing. As the platform expands, complexity increases — organisationally, logistically and in terms of content. Our priority is to ensure that participants feel comfortable, that discussions remain focused and that the event continues to deliver real value.
If we succeed in preserving the practical focus, openness and ability to connect people across domains, Future Forces will remain relevant — regardless of how fast the security environment continues to change.
About the Author
