Distinguished guests!
Ladies and gentlemen!
It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you to Baku, a city that has become the political, economic, and dynamic center of progress in the South Caucasus, on the occasion of the opening of the 6th Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition “ADEX 2026” — one of the most prestigious and strategically significant military-technological platforms in the region.
Today, Azerbaijan’s defence industry has entered a new stage characterized by quality, the application of modern technologies, and science-intensive production achievements. As a result of the purposeful and pragmatic state policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, our country is no longer merely a user of advanced technologies, but also a creator of innovative solutions that make fundamental contributions to the global security architecture.
The special attention given by President Ilham Aliyev to the organization and development of the “ADEX” exhibition has elevated this unique platform to the status of an intellectual hub where the defence doctrines of the future are discussed. The continuous expansion of the exhibition’s scale, along with the growing number of participating countries and international companies, is a clear testament to the growing international confidence in Azerbaijan’s military-industrial potential.
Current global developments demonstrate that in the modern era, the reliable provision of national defence capabilities and security is no longer based on quantity, but on technological superiority, the application of artificial intelligence, and the effectiveness of robotic systems. Positioned at the center of this global transformation, “ADEX 2026” presents participants with intelligent systems, cybersecurity solutions, and aerospace achievements capable of addressing the most complex defence challenges.
Today, Baku is one of the unique places that brings together leading minds of the global defence industry, engineering expertise, and innovative technological advancements around a common goal — a safer and more peaceful future.
This exhibition also showcases Azerbaijan’s economic and military strength, as well as its new capabilities as a victorious state that has fully restored its territorial integrity. Azerbaijan’s defence industry currently has the capacity to establish joint production chains with international partners, accelerate technology transfer, and export competitive products that meet modern requirements. We firmly believe that real security can be achieved not only through isolated systems, but also through open and transparent international cooperation, mutual trust, and the application of new scientific advancements.
I am confident that the cooperation and partnership relations established within the framework of the exhibition, the productive business meetings held, the strategic agreements signed, and the professional discussions conducted will open new horizons of development for all participating countries and companies, contributing to the strengthening of international security, the modernization of armed forces, and the formation of next-generation defence strategies. The hospitality of Baku and the favorable business environment created will provide additional impetus to your activities, while the “ADEX” brand will write new successful chapters in the history of global military-technical cooperation.
I wish all participants new achievements, the establishment of mutually beneficial partnership relations, and every success!
Sincerely,
Vugar Mustafayev
Minister of Defence Industry
of the Republic of Azerbaijan