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Following its strong debut in 2024, DEFCROS Public Safety & Defense Expo is returning in Osijek, Croatia on September 11-12, 2025, with ambitious plans to scale both in size and global relevance.
Last year’s inaugural event attracted more than 10,000 visitors and 150 high-ranking officials from 15 countries, along with a packed schedule of conferences and bilateral meetings. The momentum generated from that launch has positioned DEFCROS as a serious new player in the European defense exhibition landscape.
DEFCROS stands apart from larger events by offering a more tailored and personal environment. According to Founder Kristijan Ilovača, this was a key part of the vision from the start, to create a platform that delivers not just exposure, but real access and meaningful engagement.
Kristijan said, “I wanted to make one ecosystem where the police, law enforcement agencies, the military, and special forces units can cooperate together. I wanted to build something like the UK’s DSEI, a hub in Southern Europe for public safety and defense. It was really successful last year as an icebreaker and we are going in the right direction.”
Located at the intersection of East and West, and backed by Croatia’s EU and NATO membership, Osijek offers an ideal venue for defense and security companies looking to reach new markets.
For the 2025 edition, referred to as DEFCROS 2, organizers are expanding exhibition space, bringing in more international delegations, and increasing the number of bilateral sessions, conferences, and high-level panels. The aim is to establish DEFCROS not only as a showcase for innovation, but as a venue where partnerships are formed and deals are made.
That’s especially important for small-to-medium enterprises. DEFCROS has placed a strong emphasis on empowering startups and agile technology providers, giving them a platform to present their solutions directly to decision-makers from both the private and public sectors. DEFCROS provides an opportunity for them to gain visibility, access funding, and establish relationships with government bodies such as Croatia’s Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior, both of which continue to actively support the event.
Kristijan stated, “It is like in football, everybody talks about Manchester United and Liverpool but nobody talks about Crystal Palace. From my perspective, we should try and improve the visibility of smaller companies. Our event is a really good place where new companies and startups can gain exposure. An important question is, why would someone come to our exhibition? Because there are major decision makers, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, lots of generals, not only from Croatia but from countries such as Bosnia, Slovenia, and that is what will hopefully drive companies to come and be a part of this event.“
Looking ahead to the 2025 edition, DEFCROS 2 will cover a wide range of sectors including weapons and ammunition, land and aerial platforms, maritime systems, infrastructure protection, advanced manufacturing, demining, emergency medical response, cybersecurity, AI-enabled vision systems, and personnel equipment. The list reflects a comprehensive understanding of the modern defense and security ecosystem, which increasingly relies on cross-domain technologies and integrated systems.
Details of the specific platforms and technologies to be showcased remain under wraps for now, but with DEFCROS’s focus on hands-on engagement, attendees can expect a strong showing of live demonstrations and interactive exhibits.
One of DEFCROS’s great strengths is its relevance to a broad range of sectors that crossover with defense and public safety. In addition to military and law enforcement stakeholders, the event also welcomes participation from industries such as transportation, healthcare, finance, and logistics, recognizing that modern security challenges demand integrated responses across civil and defense infrastructure.
As it works to expand international participation and deepen its influence, DEFCROS is focused on creating a high-value experience for all involved. That means more than just exhibition booths, it means curated networking, strategic dialogues, and tangible business outcomes.
On future plans, Kristijan added, “My plan is to have a show every single year, and maybe we will hold a show in Africa, Kenya, Nairobi, because there is a lot of potential and new startups coming from that region. Our approach is not only are people coming to us but we are going to them. There is huge potential and we have a lot of new businesses talking about the European Defence Fund and getting involved, but they don’t have the proper information. My idea is to give all these people as much information as I can so we can keep our market alive. If I can help make 10 companies today, in 10 years everybody will feel the benefit of it. I don’t see it like a competition, I see it as an ecosystem and everybody cooperating.”
With its second edition now firmly on the horizon, DEFCROS is poised to become a standout event in the European defense calendar, one that prioritizes access, agility, and authentic connection in a fast-changing security environment.
