With nearly two months still to go until opening the 34th MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition is already poised to make history.
~
Press Release, Kielce, 17 July 2026: With nearly two months still to go until the opening ceremony, the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (Międzynarodowy Salon Przemysłu Obronnego or MSPO) is already poised to make history. For the first time, the event will host almost 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe, with the entire exhibition space at the Kielce trade centre officially sold out. Held under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, MSPO’s Strategic Partner for 2026 is once again Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
This year’s show will also be the first to utilise Targi Kielce’s brand-new exhibition hall. “MSPO has enjoyed phenomenal growth for years, but this edition is set to be exceptional in every sense,” says Dr Andrzej Mochoń, President of the Board of Targi Kielce. “For the first time, we will leverage the full potential of our new exhibition hall. I must admit, we are incredibly excited to see it packed with state-of-the-art displays and bustling with thousands of visitors from around the world. This is a milestone for both Targi Kielce and MSPO, unlocking entirely new capabilities for our future events.”
Canada Set to Deliver Its Largest-Ever National Showcase at MSPO: As this year’s Lead Nation, Canada is preparing one of the most comprehensive national presentations in the history of the exhibition. Spanning the newly built Hall 7, 82 Canadian companies will showcase cutting-edge solutions from across the defence sector – ranging from military vehicles and optoelectronics to aerospace, cybersecurity, radar systems, and modern battlefield tech.
A key highlight of the programme will be the Lead Nation Conference on 9 September, accompanied by high-level bilateral meetings and business-to-business matchmaking sessions bringing together government officials and industry leaders. Kielce is also preparing to welcome a high-ranking Canadian government delegation. Confirmed attendees include Canada’s Minister of National Defence, David McGuinty, and Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, alongside federal officials driving defence procurement, innovation, and international cooperation.
Adding a touch of ceremonial pageantry to Canada’s Lead Nation presence, the esteemed Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums, alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force Command Brass, will perform throughout the four-day event.
SAFE Opens New Horizons for Industry Collaboration: A major talking point at this year’s exhibition will be the strengthening of industrial ties between Europe and Canada under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) framework. Canada remains the only non-EU nation with an agreement allowing enhanced participation in this initiative. This unique status enables Canadian businesses to bid on SAFE-funded projects and enter into joint ventures with European Union partners.
This burgeoning Polish-Canadian partnership was a core focus of this year’s CANSEC exhibition in Ottawa, attended by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. During high-level talks, the Minister actively encouraged Canadian defence firms to showcase at MSPO and expand their investment footprint in Poland.
Polish Armaments Group Returns as MSPO Strategic Partner: Reaffirming its long-standing commitment to the event, Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) returns as the Strategic Partner for MSPO. PGZ’s massive showcase will be the centrepiece of the domestic exhibition, a powerful testament to the technological prowess and manufacturing capabilities of Poland’s defence sector.
A Record-Breaking Event and Elite Agenda: Far more than a trade show, MSPO has cemented its reputation as a premier intellectual hub for global security and defence policy. The 2026 programme features dozens of conferences, seminars, debates, and exclusive side events hosted by prominent national and international organisations.
The key highlights of the agenda include the Canadian Leading Nation Conference, the 1st International Societal Resilience Leaders Forum, conferences on industrial cooperation, international security, modern defence technologies, cybersecurity, and the development of the industrial capabilities of NATO countries. The prestigious DEFENDER Awards ceremony, featuring special accolades from the President of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of National Defence, is also part of the expo agenda.
Paris, London, Kielce… For over three decades, MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition has stood alongside Paris and London as one of Europe’s big three defence exhibitions. This year’s record-breaking numbers underscore Poland’s rising status as a pivotal meeting ground for global defence leaders, bringing together government administrations, armed forces, industry giants, and academia.
With a record 1,000 exhibitors, a fully booked venue, Canada’s massive Lead Nation Exhibition, top-tier political representation, and the debut of the state-of-the-art hall, the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO is set to be the largest and most influential in the event’s history.
MSPO 2026 takes place 08–11 September at Targi Kielce.
~
