FEINDEF

History and origin

FEINDEF launched in 2019 under the aegis of the Fundacion FEINDEF, a foundation established in 2020 (retrospectively formalised from the 2019 inaugural event) with the explicit mission of promoting the Spanish defence and security industry and fostering its internationalisation. The foundation was created jointly by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the two principal industry associations: TEDAE (Asociacion Espanola de Empresas Tecnologicas de Defensa, Aeronautica, Espacio y Seguridad) and AESMIDE (Asociacion Empresarial de la Industria de Defensa Espanola). From its first edition, FEINDEF sought to fill the gap left by Spain's lack of a comparable national defence exhibition, positioning Madrid as an alternative hub to London, Paris and Essen for the global defence procurement community. Growth has been rapid: four editions in seven years have produced an audience trajectory from a standing start to 44,000+ attendees, placing FEINDEF firmly in the European Tier-1 category alongside DSEI, Eurosatory and Euronaval.

The 2025 edition: record attendance and international surge

FEINDEF 25, held 12-14 May 2025 at IFEMA Madrid, was the fourth edition and the most ambitious to date. It set records across all key metrics: 44,000+ total attendees (a 76% increase from the previous edition); 601 exhibitors (a 33% increase), of which 187 were international; 91 heads of international delegations; 57 countries represented; and 78% increase in international visitors. The event occupied four halls at IFEMA, with a fifth hall added to accommodate military static exhibits and large industrial products. International organisations attending included the European Defence Agency (EDA), Europol, the United Nations, NATO, OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) and the European Commission. Global sponsors included Grupo Oesia (global sponsor), Indra, Navantia, Grupo Amper and Grupo EM&E among others.

The 2027 edition: further expansion projected

FEINDEF 27 (18-20 May 2027) is positioned as a further step up in scale: 5 halls, 89,100 m2 total area (39,674 m2 net exhibition area), 600+ exhibitors, 68 countries and 43,000+ participants. Stand booking is open and the commercial brochure is available. The organiser describes the event under the tagline "Defending our Security."

Where FEINDEF sits in the defence calendar

FEINDEF's biennial May slot positions it between Eurosatory (Paris, June, odd years) and DSEI (London, September, odd years), making it the first major European defence show of each biennial cycle in its "on" years. Within the Iberian and Mediterranean regional defence context, it is unmatched. Its growing international delegation count -- 91 heads of delegation in 2025, with particular strength from the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, Asia and the NATO European partners -- gives it a procurement function extending well beyond Spain's national market. Spain's role as a NATO member, EU defence integration advocate and major platform in the F-35 industrial programme adds institutional weight.

Who attends FEINDEF

The exhibitor base combines large Spanish prime contractors (Indra, Navantia, Airbus Spain, Grupo Amper, Grupo Oesia, Escribano, Sener) with a substantial SME contingent (75% of exhibitors in 2025 were SMEs), international defence companies seeking Spanish market entry, and innovative start-ups and universities from the technology transfer and dual-use innovation ecosystem. The visitor base spans heads of delegation from 68+ countries, Spanish and foreign armed forces personnel, procurement officials, senior government representatives, international organisations, journalists and researchers.

What the FEINDEF format includes

The main exhibition floor at IFEMA covers land, naval, air, space, cyber and cognitive capability domains in a five-hall format. A dedicated outdoor area provides space for static display of military assets and large equipment (tanks, armoured vehicles, helicopters, naval systems) that cannot fit in standard exhibition stands. The conference programme runs across the three days with invited expert speakers and moderated panel discussions. The show features its own official magazine (published for each edition). Institutional VIP and delegation programmes with specific agenda support are managed for official national delegations. The FEINDEF Dialogues series and interviews extend engagement beyond the show itself.

What FEINDEF covers

The six operational domains are: Land (ground vehicles, weapons, protection, soldier systems, logistics); Sea (naval platforms, undersea systems, port security, maritime surveillance); Air (military aviation, UAV, air defence, airborne ISR); Space (satellite communications, space situational awareness, space-based intelligence); Cyber (cyber security, electronic warfare, information operations, critical infrastructure protection); and Cognitive (AI, decision-support systems, simulation, training, information management). Cross-domain themes include sustainability in defence, disruptive technologies and smart logistics.

The 2027 edition in numbers (organiser-declared projections)

The venue: IFEMA Madrid

IFEMA (Institucion Ferial de Madrid) is Spain's largest trade fair and convention centre, located at Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I, 28042 Madrid. The complex consists of twelve halls totalling over 200,000 m2 of covered exhibition space plus outdoor exhibition areas. FEINDEF 27 occupies five halls (89,100 m2 total area). Transport: Metro Line 8 (Aeropuerto T4 line) serves the IFEMA Feria de Madrid station directly; journey time from Madrid city centre (Nuevos Ministerios) is approximately 12 minutes. Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez International Airport is adjacent to IFEMA (less than 5 minutes by Metro or taxi). By car, the complex is served by the M-12 ringroad and M-40 outer ring. RENFE Cercanias (suburban rail) provides connections from Madrid Atocha.

The organiser: Fundacion FEINDEF

Fundacion FEINDEF is a public-private foundation established in 2020 by the Spanish Ministry of Defence, TEDAE (Asociacion Espanola de Empresas Tecnologicas de Defensa, Aeronautica, Espacio y Seguridad) and AESMIDE (Asociacion Empresarial de la Industria de Defensa Espanola). Its statutory mission is the promotion and internationalisation of the Spanish defence and security industry. The foundation is the sole organiser of the FEINDEF exhibition. Contact and institutional information is published at feindef.com.

First time at FEINDEF? How to prepare

• Book stands and accommodation as soon as the show opens registration. FEINDEF has grown rapidly in each edition; prime stand locations and adjacent hotels fill quickly. The IFEMA area has abundant hotel supply, but proximity to the show and Madrid-Barajas airport commands a premium during the event.
• Download the exhibitor catalogue and plan your priorities. The official exhibitor catalogue for the current edition (available at registro.feindefevent.com for previous editions) lists all participants. Prepare a target list of companies and delegations before arriving; the five-hall layout is extensive.
• Engage with the delegation programme if you represent a procurement authority. FEINDEF manages tailored delegation agendas for official national delegations. Contact the organiser before the show to register for the delegation programme and benefit from pre-arranged industry meetings with Spain's leading defence companies.
• Explore the outdoor static display area. Military vehicles, naval systems and large equipment are displayed outdoors in a dedicated area that complements the indoor exhibition. Reserve time to visit it separately from the indoor halls.
• Use the conference programme for strategic intelligence. The three-day conference programme features senior speakers from NATO, EU institutions and national armed forces. Sessions cover the dominant procurement themes; attending even one or two sessions provides context for floor conversations.
• Arrive via Metro Line 8 for the fastest connection. Whether arriving from central Madrid or directly from Madrid-Barajas T4, the Metro Line 8 drops you at the IFEMA Feria de Madrid station in under 15 minutes with no traffic delays.