International Defence Industry Exhibition Kielce 2026
Every year, at the beginning of September, Poland becomes the capital of European defence. This year will be no different: on 8 September, Kielce will host the 34th edition of the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO). By all accounts, it will be the largest event of its kind in history. Anyone serious about the future of European security – and Poland’s role in it – cannot afford to miss it. Because when Europe commits EUR 150 billion to defence and Poland emerges as the largest beneficiary of the SAFE programme, Kielce is no longer just a trade fair venue, but a hub where strategic decisions are made.
A record-breaking 34th edition of MSPO
Over 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries worldwide. And a brand-new exhibition hall, large enough to showcase the full potential of heavy equipment and advanced systems that demand greater floor space.
MSPO is no longer merely an arms and equipment show. It is where multimillion contracts are signed, long-term agreements are made and relationships are forged that translate into real defence projects. It is where decision-makers from around the world converge. Among them, an increasingly prominent group: senior military officers, from the rank of colonel upwards, from far-flung corners of the globe: Asia, Africa and the Middle East. They are joined by representatives of governments, ministries of defence, the Armaments Agency, industry, embassies and foreign delegations – the crème de la crème of the defence world, alongside finance professionals, business leaders, advisors and lawyers.
For companies operating in the dual-use, defence, cybersecurity, AI and the increasingly important civil defence sectors, this is one of the most significant events in Europe. Alongside Eurosatory in Paris and DSEI in London, MSPO Kielce is a must-attend on the industry calendar.
The role of global partners in the European defence chain
This year’s leading country is Canada, which is consciously diversifying its defence relationships, including by signing a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union and joining the European SAFE programme. As a result, Canadian companies have gained preferential access to defence procurement funded under SAFE.
Canada’s presence in Kielce – with a government delegation, 165 companies and the planned signing of specific agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding on cyber defence cooperation and a mutual defence agreement – is not a matter of courtesy diplomacy, but a firm endorsement of earlier commitments.
Canada is not, however, the only major player at MSPO. Among the largest foreign delegations this year will be Germany, with nearly 90 companies, and the United States, with over 50 exhibitors. Both countries have long been among Poland’s most important defence partners. As the EU’s largest economy and one of the key pillars of the European defence industry, Germany is strengthening its position in the context of the implementation of the SAFE programme and the development of joint European defence capabilities. The United States, for its part, remains the largest supplier of advanced weapon systems to the Polish armed forces and a strategic point of reference for the entire defence sector in the CEE region.
For Polish companies – particularly those operating in satellite technology, cybersecurity, unmanned systems and simulation – this year’s MSPO is a unique opportunity to establish business relationships with NATO’s three most important partners, in one place and at one time.
Topics defining the sector in 2026
The exhibition programme includes conferences and debates devoted to innovation financing, science-industry cooperation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the development of the European defence industry.
The key focus areas of this year’s edition are:
- Drones and autonomous systems
- Dual-use technologies
- Air defence and precision strike
- Defence financing
- Strategic cooperation between the Polish and Ukrainian defence sectors
This edition of MSPO is, however, exceptional for yet another reason.
Since May 2026, the SAFE programme has been operational, and Poland – as its largest beneficiary, with an allocation of over EUR 43 billion – has already received its first advance payment of EUR 6 billion and managed to sign approximately 40 contracts, including for cryptographic systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, helmets, vehicles and naval vessels.
Moreover, SAFE funds finance equipment in which at least 65% of components originate from the EU, EEA–EFTA or Ukraine, which radically changes procurement logic and unlocks new opportunities for the entire European industry.
When the industry convenes in Kielce this year, therefore, the discussions will no longer be about sourcing funds, but about the most efficient way to disburse them – so that they deliver results and strengthen security in our part of the world.
How can we support your defence project?
The defence sector operates under its own rules. Public procurement, offsets, cross-border transaction structuring, export controls and compliance form a complex landscape that requires lawyers with real-world experience in the industry.
Our Defence Practice supports clients in:
- M&A and other transactions in the defence and dual-use sectors
- Structuring defence financing projects
- Defence procurement and industrial cooperation
- Export regulations and compliance
- Disputes and contract negotiations in armaments projects
- Cooperation with foreign partners (including from the US, Canada, Korea and Ukraine)
- Market entry for foreign manufacturers and investors into Poland
- Product and technology classification
- Obtaining and amending Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) licences for goods for military or police use
- Due diligence of defence sector companies
Have questions? Get in touch with us
