Defending Baltics 2026. The War Above Us

About the event
Defending Baltics 2026: The War Above Us is a high-level international Security Conference and Defence Industry Expo focused on the lessons Ukraine’s war holds for the defence of the Baltic region and Europe.

Bringing together military leaders, policymakers, security experts, critical-infrastructure practitioners and defence industry representatives, Conference and Defence Industry Expo will examine how Europe can detect threats earlier, defeat them effectively and endure under sustained attack.

Day One focuses on deterrence, air and space, persistent ISR, air and missile defence, C-UAS, electronic warfare, deep strike and Europe’s capability gaps.

Day Two co-organised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania turns to critical infrastructure under fire: what must be protected, what must continue operating, how systems recover, and how governments, armed forces, businesses and civil society coordinate when not everything can be defended.

More than a conference

Defending Baltics is also a platform for cooperation between government, armed forces, industry and civil society.

Alongside the main programme, participants will have access to the Defending Baltics Industry Expo, networking and B2B matchmaking opportunities, partner sessions and selected closed-door or invitation-only discussions.

For defence and security companies, it is an opportunity to present relevant capabilities, understand real operational needs and connect directly with decision-makers, practitioners and potential partners from across the Baltic, Nordic, European and Ukrainian defence ecosystem.

Who should apply?

Defending Baltics is a professional conference primarily intended for:

• military and NATO representatives;

• defence, security and foreign-policy decision-makers;

• ministries and other public institutions;

• NATO, EU and international security organisations;

• defence and security experts and analysts;

• defence industry executives and specialists;

• critical-infrastructure and resilience professionals;

• relevant think tanks and academia.

Registration and admission

Submitting a registration form does not guarantee admission. All applications are reviewed by the organising team. Attendance is confirmed only after receiving a separate confirmation email from Defending Baltics.

Participation is complimentary for approved representatives of armed forces, government institutions and other public-sector organisations.

Approved representatives of private companies and the defence industry participate through a Donation Ticket, contributing to the organisation and delivery of the event.

Access to selected closed-door sessions and matchmaking formats may require separate confirmation or invitation.

Organisers

Defending Baltics 2026 is organised by NGO Locked N’ Loaded and NGO Civic Resilience Initiative.

In partnership with the European Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania, Friedrich Neumann Foundation, Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and Vilnius City Municipality.

Supported by: Palantir, Aselsan, Patria, Helsing, Fire Point, Brolis, Euroelektronika, Sorainen and other partners.

Conference host: Simon Ostrovsky.