Denmark’s largest defense industry exhibition, DALO Industry Days, opened Wednesday at MCH Messecenter Herning with more than 1,200 exhibiting companies from over 25 countries. Organizers expect more than 20,000 participants across two days.
DR reports that the fair has moved to Herning this year after outgrowing its previous venue in Ballerup. The event is organized by Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, known internationally as DALO.
Lieutenant General Per P. Olsen, head of the agency, told DR that the event has become very large. Per his account, the relocation was necessary because of the number of exhibitors from more than 25 countries and the expected attendance over the two days.
Growth from 700 exhibitors in 2025
According to DR, 700 companies exhibited at last year’s edition in Ballerup. Figures published by FMI in January 2026 put the 2025 event at more than 700 exhibitors and 14,000 participants over two days, which the agency said made a larger venue necessary.
FMI stated in the same announcement that it signed a contract with MCH in Herning, including an option to hold the fair there from 2027 to 2029. The official event site confirms the dates of August 19 and 20 and describes the fair as Scandinavia’s largest defense industry exhibition, covering weapons, drones and technology.
Altinget covered the move in January 2026, citing a Defence Ministry press release. The outlet noted the event’s growth from about 50 visitors in its early years to the scale recorded in 2025. Metal-Supply reported the same relocation and the same 2025 attendance figures.
Among the first-time exhibitors is Niebuhr Gears from Ikast, which mainly produces gears for wind turbines. Managing director and owner Rasmus Niebuhr told DR that the company already supplies a small amount to the defense sector and hopes to meet future partners at the fair. He said the company is proud to be part of the solution for the Danish defense.
Niebuhr, whose company has 140 employees in Denmark, told DR that views of the industry have changed in recent years. According to him, the idea that Denmark must be able to defend itself is widely accepted today.
Olsen told DR that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created a need to strengthen defense across Europe. As stated by the lieutenant general, there is a growing requirement for a capable defense industry that can assist in peacetime, in crisis and in war. He added that greater political focus and more funding in the area have increased interest among potential suppliers.
DefenceTech.dk describes the 2026 edition as Denmark’s leading defense industry exhibition and links the move to steadily growing interest from Danish and international companies, procurement agencies and delegations.
