Navigating New Horizons: D-Fend Solutions SKO 2026 in Cascais, Portugal

January 28, 2026 | Gili Kimel Aviav

Every year, our Sales Kick-Off is more than an internal gathering — it’s a milestone. A moment to reflect on our achievements, align on strategy, and build the personal connections that power our success throughout the year.

From January 11–15, 2026, nearly 100 members of the D-Fend Solutions global team came together in Cascais, Portugal for our annual SKO — and this year, everything about it reflected momentum.

A Destination That Reflects Who We Are

Portugal is a country defined by exploration, innovation, and precision. For centuries, it has represented the courage to navigate new horizons with purpose and ambition.

That spirit resonates deeply with D-Fend Solutions.

In a rapidly evolving counter-drone landscape, D-Fend Solutions navigates complexity with clarity and intent. We are focused on closing critical gaps in traditional air defense, delivering multilayer, mission-ready
C-UAS technology that addresses real operational challenges.

This approach combines precision, adaptability, and proven performance, ensuring our customers remain protected, prepared, and ready to operate with confidence.

A Record Year, Reflected in Our Biggest SKO Yet

SKO 2026 was a direct reflection of an exceptional, record-breaking year for D-Fend Solutions.

Following a year of significant growth, this was our largest SKO to date — both in terms of attendance and customer participation. Nearly 100 team members from across our global organization joined us, marking a new milestone in the company’s continued expansion.

Equally powerful was the record number of customers who took part in the event. Customers travelled from across the globe specifically to join the SKO and speak directly to our teams — sharing real-world operational experiences, candid feedback, and lessons learned.

Their willingness to invest the time and travel solely to be part of this conversation is a powerful testament to the strength of our partnerships, the trust we’ve built, and the mutual commitment we share to protecting critical assets and advancing counter-drone capabilities together.

The message was clear: our growth is real, and it’s being felt across the market.

Five Days of Strategy, Insight, and Alignment

Over five days, the SKO agenda delivered deep, meaningful content designed to set the tone for the year ahead. The program included:

  • Strategic insights and market outlooks
  • Product roadmaps and technology vision
  • Comprehensive year-in-review summaries
  • Interactive workshops and open discussions that encouraged collaboration and candid dialogue
  • Clear priorities, conclusions, and execution plans for 2026

This alignment across teams, regions, and functions ensures that we move forward together — focused, coordinated, and confident.

One of the most anticipated moments was our 2025 Sales Awards ceremony. As always, it was a celebration of excellence, teamwork, and commitment — and a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets performance.

Experiencing Portugal Together

Beyond the meeting rooms, Portugal offered unforgettable shared experiences that strengthened team connections:

  • A lively tuk-tuk tour through Lisbon, followed by dinner with live Fado music — authentic, emotional, and uniquely Portuguese
  • classic evening in the beautiful town of Sintra, surrounded by timeless scenery
  • Countless opportunities to network, reconnect, and enjoy time together as one global team

These moments matter. They build trust, reinforce culture, and remind us that our success is driven by people working together.

Energized, Aligned, and Ready for What’s Next

Above all, the energy throughout SKO 2026 was extraordinary.

We left Cascais motivated, educated, aligned, and energized — proud of how far we’ve come and confident in the path ahead. With a clear strategy, strong momentum, and a growing global team, D-Fend Solutions is well positioned for another impactful year.

As we move forward into 2026, one thing is certain:
We are navigating new horizons with purpose — and doing it together.

Gili Kimel Aviav is the head of Field Marketing at D-Fend Solutions. Gili has extensive experience in event and field marketing, specifically for companies in defense, public safety, homeland security, law enforcement and cyber security, and she is a creative problem solver with a passion for excellence.

Subscribe to email updates

Sign up here to receive the latest news, upcoming events, webinars and industry best practice resources

Most Popular

Our Bloggers

VIEW ALL >