- International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO is the most important arms industry exhibition in Poland.Targi Kielce [Kielce Fair] is perfectly prepared to organize the event, while the results of the MSPO exhibition are tangible – as it was stated by Andrzej Duda, the Polish President, in his interview for Radio Kielce.

The fair’s reputation is a result of the goodwill of the invited exhibitors – globally reputable defence companies, as well as of the fact that strategic defence contracts are being signed during the event. Each year, offers of the companies gathered within the Polish Armament Group, as well as those of international companies, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAe Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Finmeccanica, Thales, MBDA or Saab, are being presented during the fair.

The significance of the event for the defence industry is also stressed by the exhibitors themselves – the number of whom is also going up, year by year.

“Tradition”

As it was stated by John Neilson, Lockheed Martin’s Director for Communication, since many years the company has been participating in the MSPO event, observing the development of the exhibition year by year. The interest in the Lockheed’s products, as Neilson noted, in many cases is translated into further commercial cooperation. The official said that it is particularly important that thanks the Lockheeed’s presence at MSPO, the company gets a chance to meet the Polish partners and companies, with whom it is willing to cooperate. This may be seen as a beginning for numerous joint projects which, in the future, could be translated into new jobs and expansion of technologies transferred to Poland.

This year, 24th edition of the exhibition is planned. When asked about the history of the Kielce Defence Exhibition, President of Targi Kielce referred to the traditions formed by the Polish Central Industrial Region and the ideas planted by Stanisław Staszic back in the 19th Century. This historical aspect has also been mentioned by President Andrzej Duda, stressing the fact that central point for the industry is located in the Kielce and Radom areas.

I have a feeling that both the MSPO International Defence Exhibition, as well as the Kielce Fair, are both worthy of being the successors of the tradition. Kielce exhibition and congress centre is a good place for the Army, Police, Border Authorities, Paramedics and Firefighters. Simultaneously with the MSPO event, we also organize “LOGISTYKA” exhibition. In June, on the other hand, we are hosting the EDURA firefighting exhibition. Thus, Kielce is a location where the latest, professional equipment and solutions for the uniformed services are being showcased. During this year’s edition of the Salon we expect that the exhibitors would shift their focus towards the equipment that could potentially be used by the territorial defence units.

To The Fair – From All Around The World

Throughout the 24 years, the organizers have created an event which may be placed among the European top, with good reputation around the world, and up to 20,000 visitors per annum. The visitors include Ministers of Defence, official parliamentary and governmental organizations, representatives of the embassies and command staff from Poland and abroad. The exhibition has been visited by the Presidents of Poland – Andrzej Duda and Bronisław Komorowski. Last year, the exhibition has been attended by official delegates coming from 58 countries, including representatives of the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Kielce event was also visited by representatives of Brazil, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Oman or the United Arab Emirates.

National exhibitions are also a tradition of the event. The national industrial and military potential has been, so far, presented by, inter alia, the following states: Turkey, Norway, Italy, France, Germany, Israel, United States of America, Sweden, V4 Group states and the UK. The main exhibition this year is going to be organized by the Armed Forces, under the name “Direction - Modern Profile”. 

There is no one that has to be convinced that the Defence Exhibition in Kielce is an important international meeting point, a window on the world for the Polish armament industry. Only in Kielce the customers from the West may get acquainted with the offer of the Polish industry which is so complex, while our companies may make use of the latest developments and technological solutions proposed by the global players.

Defence24.pl is providing relevant media support for the event.