The rapid expansion of Poland’s defense sector has been reflected in the growing scale of MSPO, which concluded its 34th edition in Kielce on September 11 with record international participation.
Speaking to Defensehere on the sidelines of the exhibition, Dr. Andrzej Mochoń, President and CEO of Targi Kielce, said MSPO has grown significantly over its 33-year history, with this year’s edition bringing together 1,260 exhibitors and representatives of another 250 companies, meaning products from around 1,500 companies were represented at the show.
The 2026 edition attracted 45,000 visitors from 60 countries and covered more than 46,000 square metres of exhibition space. The footprint was expanded by a new 15,500-square-metre pavilion, reflecting growing demand from defenwe companies seeking access to the Polish market.
According to Mochoń, two major factors are driving that growth: the security situation in Europe following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Poland’s efforts to strengthen its armed forces and domestic defense industry.
Poland’s geographical position, close to both Ukraine and Russia, has made defence preparedness a major national priority. This has also increased interest in cooperation with Polish defense companies as the country expands its military capabilities and industrial base.
A second major factor highlighted by Mochoń is the European Union’s SAFE program, which is expected to provide Poland with around €43 billion in loans for defense-related investment.
The program has further increased international interest in Poland because a large share of the funding is expected to be spent domestically. Mochoń said this is encouraging companies from around the world to seek partnerships and industrial cooperation with Polish companies.
The result was visible across MSPO 2026, where companies from 43 countries participated. Canada served as the lead nation, bringing 189 companies and an official delegation of around 500 people.
For Targi Kielce, the scale of this year’s exhibition demonstrates how MSPO has evolved from a regional defense event into an increasingly important meeting point between Poland’s expanding defense industry and international suppliers.
The growth also comes as Poland continues to strengthen its military capabilities and develop domestic production capacity, creating opportunities for technology transfer, industrial partnerships and localized manufacturing.
With international interest continuing to increase, MSPO’s latest edition underlined the growing importance of Poland within Europe’s defense-industrial landscape — and the role of Kielce as a platform connecting that market with global industry.