The International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO is the largest defence trade fair in Central and Eastern Europe, held annually every September at Targi Kielce in Poland. The 34th edition runs 8-11 September 2026 with Canada as Lead Nation and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) as Strategic Partner. It brings together manufacturers, procurement agencies, military delegations, and government decision-makers from across the globe to showcase systems, sign contracts, and shape the future of NATO's eastern flank.
MSPO (Miedzynarodowy Salon Przemyslu Obronnego) is Poland's national and Central Europe's largest international defence industry exhibition, held annually at Targi Kielce every September. Organised by Targi Kielce S.A. with institutional support from Poland's Ministry of National Defence, the exhibition has been described as one of Europe's three most important defence events alongside Paris and London. The 34th edition in 2026 runs 8-11 September and features Canada as Lead Nation, marking a high-profile NATO partnership signal. Exhibition space for 2026 was sold out as of May 2026.
MSPO was established in the early 1990s as Poland emerged from the Warsaw Pact and began building a sovereign, NATO-oriented defence industry. From a domestic showcase it grew steadily into a recognised international platform. Its location in Kielce, in the Swietokrzyskie region, reflects the concentration of Polish defence manufacturing in central Poland, close to facilities operated by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) subsidiaries. Annual periodicity, rare among major European defence events (most are biennial), gives MSPO a unique rhythm and makes it a fixed point in the procurement calendar for companies active in Central and Eastern Europe.
MSPO 2026 is the 34th edition and introduces two structural changes: it moves to the second week of September (8-11, versus the traditional first week), and it relocates to a new exhibition hall at Targi Kielce. Canada is confirmed as Lead Nation, signalling deepening Canada-Poland defence industrial cooperation and providing a prominent national pavilion. Poland's Ministry of National Defence and PGZ remain co-organisers and Strategic Partner respectively. Exhibition space was declared sold out by May 2026, reflecting continued high demand following record 2025 attendance.
MSPO occupies a distinctive slot in September, running immediately after DSEI London (odd years) or coinciding with that event's off-year cycle, and a week after SMM/MS&D Hamburg in 2026. This proximity creates a demanding travel week for major defence companies attending both Hamburg and Kielce. For procurement professionals focused on NATO's eastern flank, MSPO is unmatched: Polish defence spending reached approximately 4.7% of GDP in recent planning cycles, making Poland one of NATO's highest-spending members and MSPO a prime venue for contracts and letters of intent.
At MSPO 2025, nearly 39,000 guests attended alongside 811 exhibiting companies from 35 countries and over 170 delegations from Poland and abroad. Visitor categories include representatives of state authorities, institutions responsible for arms procurement, arms market specialists, and academics. Military staff delegations and embassy representatives from across Europe, North America, and further afield attend under official protocol. Key domestic attendees include the Polish Armed Forces' General Staff, the Armaments Agency, and the Cyber Defence Troops Command. Major international primes such as BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, Leonardo, and Hanwha historically exhibit.
MSPO combines an indoor and outdoor exhibition across multiple halls and an outdoor area at Targi Kielce. The Polish Armed Forces Exhibition runs in parallel, providing a public-facing military display. Indoor halls host exhibitor stands ranging from SMEs to national pavilions and large-footprint prime contractors. A conference and panel programme covers defence industry trends, security policy, and technology development. The DEFENDER Awards ceremony recognises outstanding products demonstrated at the fair. Alongside the awards, the President of Poland's Award and special awards from the Ministers of National Defence and Development are presented. Strategic contract signing ceremonies take place on the floor.
| Edition | 34th |
| Dates | 8-11 September 2026 |
| Lead Nation | Canada |
| Strategic Partner | Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) |
| Exhibition space (2025 reference) | approx. 40,000 m2 |
| Exhibitors 2025 (reference) | 811 companies from 35 countries |
| Visitors 2025 (reference) | approx. 39,000 |
| Official delegations 2025 (reference) | 170+ from 42 countries |
| Contracts signed 2025 (reference) | 43 contracts, approx. PLN 6 billion |
| Exhibition space 2026 | sold out (as of May 2026) |
MSPO is held annually every September at Targi Kielce. This annual rhythm distinguishes it from most major European defence shows (Eurosatory, DSEI, MSPO's regional peers), making it a reliable yearly touchpoint for the Central and Eastern European defence market.
Each year, a partner nation is designated Lead Nation and organises a large national pavilion, government delegation, and bilateral programme. Past Lead Nations have included the United States and United Kingdom. Canada's designation for 2026 reflects the importance Poland places on Canada-Poland defence industrial cooperation, particularly in armoured vehicles and ammunition.
The DEFENDER Award is MSPO's main product recognition. Additional awards include the President of Poland's Award, the Special Award of the Minister of National Defence, and the Special Award of the Minister of Development and Technology. These awards are presented during a formal gala ceremony.
Yes. Contract signing ceremonies are a prominent feature of MSPO. At the 2025 edition, Polish Armaments Group and the Armaments Agency signed contracts worth approximately PLN 6 billion on the first day alone, covering programmes including Narew (passive radar) and MSBS Grot rifles. MSPO is explicitly used as a public procurement event.
Targi Kielce S.A., ul. Zakladowa 1, 25-672 Kielce, Poland. The fairground comprises multiple indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor area with a gross area of 100,000 m2. Kielce is located in the Swietokrzyskie region of central Poland, accessible by road from Warsaw (approximately 2 hours), Krakow (approximately 1.5 hours), and Wroclaw (approximately 2.5 hours). Seven international airports are within a two-hour drive. Direct rail connections link Kielce to Warsaw Central (PKP intercity). The venue offers parking, logistics services, and on-site accommodation coordination.
Targi Kielce S.A. is a publicly held trade fair company with more than 80 years of history, operating the Kielce fairground and organising events across multiple sectors. For MSPO, it acts as the primary operational organiser. The Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Serbia is the institutional co-organiser that provides official patronage, coordinates military participation, and enables the Polish Armed Forces Exhibition strand. Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), the state-controlled defence industrial group, serves as Strategic Partner.
With exhibition space sold out months ahead of time and PLN 6 billion in contracts signed at the 2025 edition, MSPO has become the premier live market for NATO's eastern flank rearmament, not merely a showcase.
Visitor tickets for MSPO 2026 are available for purchase via the Targi Kielce online shop (targikielce.pl/en/shop/mspo,90). Visitors with an invitation code can register via the dedicated portal. Media accreditation launched in May 2026 through the Targi Kielce accreditation system. Exhibitor registration is through the Customer Portal (portalklienta.targikielce.pl); exhibition space for 2026 was sold out as of May 2026. Ticket pricing is available on the official site; exhibitor fees are not disclosed publicly and are available on request.
Kielce is approximately 2 hours from Warsaw by car via the S7 expressway. PKP intercity train services operate from Warsaw Central to Kielce. Krakow is approximately 1.5 hours by car. The nearest international airports are Warsaw Chopin (WAW), Krakow Balice (KRK), Wroclaw (WRO), Lodz (LCJ), Katowice (KTW), Rzeszow (RZE), and Lublin (LUZ), all within two hours.
No security clearance is required for general visitor access; MSPO is open to trade professionals and the public on specific days. Certain restricted areas (delegation zones, classified briefings) may require pre-arranged clearance. Check with your national industry association for guidance on accessing restricted programme elements.
MSPO is bilingual (Polish and English) for signage and official communications. Most international exhibitors and staff communicate in English. The conference programme is conducted in Polish with simultaneous interpretation for major sessions.
| Official website | https://www.targikielce.pl/en/mspo |
| https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mspo | |
| X | not disclosed |
| Register | https://www.targikielce.pl/en/shop/mspo,90 |
| Programme | not disclosed |