13/05/2026
The 2026 edition of SeeNext’s "Defence in Southeast Europe" analysis is out, and it reveals a seismic shift in the region's defense landscape. Over €3 billion in new investments are transforming Southeast Europe into a powerhouse for drones, tech, and arms manufacturing. Countries in the region are developing new capabilities and while the overall level is increasing, there remains a big gap in interconnectivity and regional scale up.
Key insights from our latest report:
▪️ New Drone Producers: The region is now a breeding ground for UAV companies. Keep an eye on Orqa (Croatia), BraveX Aero (Romania), and the major cross-border partnerships involving Elbit Systems.
▪️ Surge in Arms Investment: Giants like Rheinmetall and Hanwha Aerospace are making multi-billion euro investments, establishing major production hubs in Romania and Bulgaria.
▪️ The Defence Tech Crowd: A new wave of tech startups is here. Bulgaria leads the region in VC funding for defense and security, with companies like EnduroSat and Wiser making a mark on the European stage.
▪️ The Biggest Companies are Growing Fast: SEE's top defense manufacturers are reporting massive revenue growth, with some expanding over 30% year-on-year.
The narrative has changed. Southeast Europe is no longer just a flank; it's a core engine of Europe's new defense-industrial strategy.
Special thanks to our experts and partners for their invaluable contributions to this essential analysis.
🔗 Download the full report now to understand the new players and the new rules of the game: https://seenext.org/reports/defence-security-in-southeast-europe-2026-edition/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=launch-post&utm_campaign=defence-reg-2026
