hemus 2024

“HEMUS 2024” AT GLANCE

The biennial specialized International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition “HEMUS” was established in 1995 with a decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. The venue of the Exhibition is the International Fair Plovdiv, located in city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The Exhibition is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The main goal of the Exhibition is to give an impetus to the development of the Defence Industry, providing the manufacturers and business people with a focal point to showcase armaments and combat equipment along with the whole spectrum of defence assets and services. The Forum creates opportunities for the establishment of joint-venture enterprises, maintenance and repair activities and joint innovative Research & Development projects in the area of defence and security.

Since 2011, following the world trends in the defense sectors, the concept of the Exhibition has been expanded and enriched to involve three more perspectives: Defence, Antiterrorism and Security. Special role has been assigned to innovations and research and development promoted by scientific conferences, demonstrations and test firings, presentations of academia and higher educational institutions, etc.

The Domains and Subject Sections are quite extensive, paying special attention to the cyber security, border security, strategic communications, autonomous systems for observation, information, tracking and reaction, so that to provide an opportunity for the presentation of a wide range of products related to the national security and for the participation of a larger number of exhibitors from the country and abroad.

In order to achieve the goal and objectives of the Exhibition, official delegations from over 65 countries, national training directors of over 32 countries, representatives from NATO structures and agencies and the European Defense Agency, representatives of diplomatic missions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, high-ranking officials and officers from the MoD and the Ministry of Economy and Industry are traditionally invited to visit the Event.

The organizer of “Hemus” is “HEMUS-95” Foundation, the Principal of which is the Ministry of Defence, The Foundation has undertaken the financing of the Exhibition and the immediate arrangements. Partner of the Foundation in the implementation of this task are: International Fair Plovdiv, Bulgarian Defence Industry Association, The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, AFCEA Sofia Chapter.

Over the course of its over 28 year existence, fifteen editions of “HEMUS” have been successfully conducted. Each edition has been accompanied by couple of supporting events such as: International Scientific Conference, Industrial Forum, Live Firings and demonstrations, Static and dynamic display. The sixteenth edition – “HEMUS 2024” is to be held from 5th to 8th June 2024. There has not been canceled edition so far, despite the complicated pandemic, economic and geopolitical situation worldwide.

The high satisfaction of our participants – exhibitors and visitors, during the years, resulted in the positive assessment, they gave to “HEMUS” as an event with „TRADITION, outstanding PERFORMANCE, crisis RESILIENCE“, „An Event where the West and the East match interests“ and as „? Platform on which the European Union meets its partners“, which we are very proud of.

The Fifteenth edition of the International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition „HEMUS 2022“, which took place from 1-st to 4-th June, 2022 at the Plovdiv International Fair proved ones again that assessment.

Despite the complex situation, ‘’HEMUS 2022’’ has achieved significant growth in all trade parameters compared to the previous edition in 2020. In particular, ‘’HEMUS 2022’’ has expanded the indoor and especially the outdoor exhibition area to accommodate the increased number of exhibitors. A significant number of new exhibitors from countries new to ‘’HEMUS’’ successfully participated in this edition. A hundred companies and organizations were presented, of which 59 Bulgarian and 41 foreign from 21 countries. Among our esteemed exhibitors, to whom we offered hosting, was once again a Contingent from the US Army, which participated in the Static Display together with Bulgarian military formations. The Bulgarian Academia continued to show significant interest, as a total of 11 Scientific bodies and Uniwercities, of which 5 military and 6 civilian, took part as exhibitors in „HEMUS 2022“. The achieved commercial parameters of „HEMUS 2022“ exceeded by 10% to 50% what was achieved in the previous edition.

The Exhibition was visited by 18 foreign delegations, guests of the Minister of Defense., and representatives of European Defense Agency and NATO Agency NSPA. Along with the official delegations, ‘’HEMUS 2022’’ had visitors from 50 countries from Europe, North and South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. A number of countries were represented by their Ambassadors and Defense Attachés in Sofia. On the Bulgarian side, the exhibition was viewed by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, by representatives of the Parliament, by the Minister of Defense, by Deputy Ministers of: Defense, of Economy and Industry and of Innovation and Growth, by the Chief of Defense, by the Commanders of Services, Generals and Admirals, number of representatives of the Bulgarian state institutions.

More than 60 business meetings of various types were requested, organized and held, both at the request of the delegations and other visitors, and at the request of the exhibitors themselves. Alongside with the traditional accompanying events two additional ones – Symposium on Research and Innovation for European Security and Defense and DefInSpace Bulgaria 2022 Hackathon took place.

According to an independent sociological survey exhibitors and visitors satisfaction at “HEMUS 2022” is over 76% among exhibitors and 99% among visitors. Exhibitors maintained the level of realization of intentions to conclude deals during the exhibition, and over 60% rated the prospects for concluding deals in the period after the event as very good and good. Significant success was observed in establishing business contacts (93%) and market, industry and competition research (89%). Over 80% of exhibitors are satisfied with the quality of service provided by the organizers. Over 84% of exhibitors and over 99% of visitors declare their intention to participate in a subsequent edition.

Drawing on the accumulated experience and long tradition, relying on established contacts and business relationships with our partners from the EU, NATO and worldwide, recognizing mutual benefits, we look ahead with optimism to the next International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition “HEMUS 2024”.

For more information, please visit “HEMUS 2024” website - https://www.hemusbg.org/en

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU AT “HEMUS 2024”!