Record-Breaking MSPO 2026

45,000 visitors, 1,209 exhibitors from 43 countries, 900 accredited journalists from around the world, and the presence of senior representatives of government, the armed forces and the global defence industry – the XXXIV International Defence Industry Exhibition has gone down in history as the largest edition of MSPO to date. For four days, Kielce was the meeting place for the presentation of cutting-edge technologies, the signing of strategic contracts, and high-level discussions on the security of Poland, Europe, and the North Atlantic Alliance.

This year’s MSPO reconfirmed its position as the third-largest defence industry exhibition in Europe, behind only Eurosatory in Paris and DSEI in London. This year’s edition set records for exhibitor numbers, the scale of international participation, and visitor interest.

A total of 1,209 companies from 43 countries presented their products and capabilities at Targi Kielce, while 45,000 visitors attended the event. More than 900 media representatives from Poland and abroad covered the Exhibition, representing leading television, press, radio, and specialist industry outlets.

The Honorary Auspices of the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition was granted by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, who participated in the first day of the Exhibition. Also present in Kielce were Prime Minister Donald Tusk; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz; Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański; Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun; Head of the National Security Bureau Bartosz Grodecki, as well as representatives of Parliament, government administration and the command of the Polish Armed Forces. The MSPO Programme Board, headed by Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chair of the Council, was also present.  An event on the scale of this year’s Exhibition is made possible by close and effective cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence.

MSPO is a global exhibition. Today, we can proudly say that Poland’s defence industry is a driving force of our economy and a brand recognised around the world – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a press conference at Targi Kielce on Tuesday, 8 September. The significance of the Exhibition was also highlighted by Deputy Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka. – We have never before seen an exhibition of armaments and defence technology on this scale in Kielce. More than 500 exhibitors from Poland alone, alongside delegations from around the world, ministers and deputy ministers. This demonstrates our place on the map of the European defence industry – Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said.

The international character of the event was further underlined by the presence of 58 official delegations from 43 countries, including five ministers, 10 deputy ministers and 39 ambassadors. Representatives of governments, industry and armed forces from around the world met in Kielce, reaffirming MSPO’s role as one of the key platforms for dialogue on security and industrial cooperation.

MSPO has long been much more than an exhibition of military equipment. MSPO is a meeting place for governments, armed forces and industry, where discussions translate into concrete decisions and multi-billion-zloty contracts.

The most significant business event of this year’s edition was the signing of a contract worth approximately PLN 3 billion between the Armament Agency and MESKO, a company belonging to the Polish Armaments Group, for the delivery of PIORUN man-portable air-defence missile systems to the Polish Armed Forces. It is the first executive contract under a framework agreement worth more than PLN 8 billion and one of the key programmes strengthening the defence capabilities of the Polish military.

Almost 70 agreements covering industrial cooperation and the development of new technologies were also signed during the Exhibition. They included an agreement between WB Group and Norway’s KONGSBERG on the joint development of unmanned maritime systems, as well as further agreements and letters of intent strengthening cooperation between Polish industry and international partners.

MSPO 2026 provided a showcase for some of the most important new products and technologies from Poland’s defence industry.

The Polish Armaments Group, Strategic Partner of the event, presented the largest Polish exhibition to date, featuring more than 350 products and solutions. One of the biggest highlights was the premiere of the ‘Niedźwiedź’ heavy infantry fighting vehicle demonstrator, representing another step in the development of Poland’s domestic armoured capabilities.

WB Group also presented its latest solutions as part of its traditional Premiere Day. The new products range includes GLADIUS 2, WARMATE 8X, the X-LIFTAIR system, the STAR 8×8 Hyperion high-mobility truck, the ZMU-30 remotely controlled weapon station and the StormRider 550 unmanned surface vessel. These premieres highlighted the dynamic development of Polish technologies in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and advanced command-and-control solutions.
Record-Breaking MSPO 2026. (Photo: Targi Kielce S.A.)

Once again, the International Defence Industry Exhibition was not only a showcase for cutting-edge technologies, but also one of the key platforms for debate on security and the development of the defence industry. The agenda featured dozens of conferences, debates and seminars covering areas including dual-use technologies, automation and robotics in the defence industry, ammunition security, photonics, cooperation with NATO, and the use of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems. An important event was the inaugural “Administration for Defence” conference, organised by the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Development and Technology, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. A prominent place in the programme was also given to the Lead Nation Conference – Canada, devoted to industrial cooperation, the potential of the Canadian defence sector, and the development of economic and technological partnerships between Poland and Canada. The conference was accompanied by numerous B2B meetings and discussions involving representatives of government administration, the armed forces and industry from both countries.

This year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition was the first MSPO to make use of Targi Kielce’s new exhibition hall. Exhibitor demand was so strong that the organisers added two temporary halls, giving every company taking part the space it needed to showcase its products and capabilities.

Nearly 250 Canadian companies and organisations took part in this year’s MSPO, with more than 20 agreements signed during the event with international partners, including companies from Poland. Canada stressed that this was the largest presence of the Canadian government and industry ever brought to an overseas defence exhibition.

Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty, who attended the Exhibition at Targi Kielce, spoke about Polish-Canadian relations during the opening ceremony:

– I would like to thank the Polish Government and the organisers of MSPO for inviting Canada to take part in this year’s Exhibition – we are proud to be here – the minister said. – This is more than an honour; it demonstrates that our defence relationship is growing stronger and has the potential to translate into real opportunities, investment and, ultimately, security – he added.

The traditional highlight of the International Defence Industry Exhibition was the DEFENDER Awards Gala, recognising the most innovative products and solutions presented at this year’s Exhibition. For more than three decades, the DEFENDER statuettes have remained among the most prestigious distinctions in Poland’s defence industry, promoting technologies that help shape the future of modern security and defence. A special distinction was the President of the Republic of Poland Award for the product making the greatest contribution to enhancing the safety of Polish Armed Forces personnel. The award went to a consortium comprising the Polish Armaments Group and PIT-RADWAR for the P-18PL mobile long-range early-warning radar.

The XXXIV International Defence Industry Exhibition has once again demonstrated that Kielce is a place where senior representatives of government, the armed forces, industry, academia and the media come together. Record attendance, the presence of senior Polish authorities and international delegations, multi-billion-zloty contracts, global premieres and innovations recognised with DEFENDER awards all confirmed MSPO’s position as one of Europe’s most important defence industry events and a key platform for cooperation in support of the security of Poland and its allies.

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