Defense Expo Prepares for Largest Edition Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Kielce, Poland – Halls at the Kielce exhibition center buzz with activity as forklifts move stand components and workers ascend scaffolding. This intense preparation marks the final month before the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) opens its doors for four days. For the organizers at Targi Kielce, however, this is the culmination of a full year of meticulous planning and coordination.

Set to be the largest edition in its 30-year history, MSPO will host 1,000 exhibitors from 37 countries across 11 halls and outdoor areas. Canada, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia will have significant representation. The event will also utilize a newly constructed exhibition hall, completed this summer.

The exhibition's scale has grown dramatically since its early 1990s beginnings, when it featured 88 companies from five nations. Key milestones include Poland's NATO accession and the modernization of its armed forces. National pavilions have been a feature since 2004. Today, the geopolitical climate, including the war in Ukraine and increased European defense spending, further amplifies the event's significance and the importance of industry-military engagement.

"For most participants, MSPO lasts four days. For us, the next edition begins the day after the previous one ends," says Dr. Andrzej Mochoń, CEO of Targi Kielce. "We analyze the event's progress, consult with exhibitors and the Program Council, and develop solutions to meet their needs. Only this approach allows us to prepare an undertaking of this organizational magnitude, the largest of its kind in the country."

Throughout the year, the Targi Kielce team collaborates with exhibitors on stand designs and logistics. They also engage with institutional partners, public administration, and international delegations. The Polish Armaments Group remains a strategic partner, showcasing new domestic innovations. Notably, the WB Group plans to unveil eight new solutions, including the global debut of GLADIUS II, a next-generation, low-observable unmanned jet system. Canada will be the "leading country" in 2026, prompting early coordination for its national exhibition and official meetings, with over 80 Canadian companies expected to participate alongside a delegation including defense and trade ministers.

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For most participants, MSPO lasts four days. For us, the next edition begins the day after the previous one ends. We analyze the event's progress, consult with exhibitors and the Program Council, and develop solutions to meet their needs. Only this approach allows us to prepare an undertaking of this organizational magnitude, the largest of its kind in the country.