Poland’s MSPO 2026 reaches full capacity as Canada leads international showcase
Nearly 1,000 exhibitors are expected at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, with all available exhibition space already reserved. Canada will serve as Lead Nation, bringing 82 companies and a senior government delegation to the four-day event.
The 2026 International Defense Industry Exhibition, known as MSPO, is expected to become the largest edition in the event’s 34-year history when it opens in Kielce, Poland, on September 8.
Organizers said nearly 1,000 exhibitors have registered and the available exhibition area at Targi Kielce has been fully booked. The event will also use the venue’s newly constructed Hall 7 for the first time. MSPO will run until September 11 under the honorary patronage of the Polish president, while Polish Armaments Group will again serve as strategic partner.
Canada has been selected as the Lead Nation for the 2026 exhibition and will occupy the entire new hall. A total of 82 Canadian companies are scheduled to present products and services covering military vehicles, aerospace systems, radar, optoelectronics, cybersecurity and battlefield technologies.
The Canadian program will include a Lead Nation Conference on September 9, with bilateral government meetings and business sessions intended to support industrial partnerships. Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu are expected to attend alongside officials responsible for procurement and defense innovation.
Canada’s expanded presence comes as its defense industry gains wider access to European procurement programs. The Council of the European Union formally concluded an agreement in June allowing Canadian companies and Canadian-origin products to participate in procurement conducted under the Security Action for Europe instrument.
Canada is the first non-European country admitted to the SAFE framework. The agreement is scheduled to enter into force on August 1, 2026, potentially creating additional opportunities for Canadian companies to participate in EU-backed joint procurement and establish partnerships with European manufacturers.
The Canadian delegation is also expected to use MSPO to strengthen cooperation with Poland, one of Europe’s largest defense procurement markets. Polish officials encouraged Canadian manufacturers to increase their presence in the country during discussions held at the CANSEC exhibition in Ottawa earlier in 2026.
Polish Armaments Group will anchor the domestic industrial presentation at MSPO. Its participation is expected to highlight Poland’s expanding production base and the role of national companies in meeting Polish Armed Forces requirements and supporting wider NATO supply chains.
The exhibition program will also include conferences and closed industry sessions addressing defense production, NATO industrial capacity, cybersecurity, emerging military technologies and societal resilience. The annual DEFENDER Awards will be presented during the event.
The record exhibitor count reflects Poland’s growing position within the European defense market. The country’s continuing military modernization and investment in domestic manufacturing have made MSPO an increasingly important venue for companies seeking procurement, production and technology partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe.
