Industry
MSPO 2023 - the Biggest Expo in History
When we met last year, we said that the 30th edition was the biggest in history. The 31st edition is larger in terms of exhibitor interest and exhibition space. This is undoubtedly our success. Our common success, which serves the defense of the Republic of Poland, but also peace on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance, said the Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, during the opening ceremony of the International Defense Industry Exhibition. These words perfectly summarize MSPO 2023.
This year's Exhibition gathered 711 exhibitors from 35 countries around the world, including 350 Polish companies. The fair was visited by 61 official foreign delegations from 43 countries. The MSPO 2023 exhibition occupied a record area of over 34,000 sq m, and for the first time in history it was also located in an additionally built temporary hall of 2,800 sq m. Almost 26,000 guests attended MSPO 2023. In addition to the honorary patron - President Andrzej Duda, the event was also visited by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak and Jacek Siewiera, Head of the National Security Bureau. The Korean delegation that prepared the National Exhibition this year was led by the Minister of Defence Acquisitions of the Republic of Korea, Eom Donghwan. The event was also attended by the command staff of the Polish Army.
The fair in Kielce is becoming more and more popular every year and it is safe to say that it clearly contributes to the economic development of this region and the entire Republic of Poland - he said during the opening ceremony of the International Defense Industry Exhibition.
President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda
Korean Dancing Dragon
The National Exhibition of South Korea was a presentation of the greatest and most important achievements of the country's defense industry, including equipment ordered by the Polish army, such as Chunmoo missile launchers and K2 tanks - entering service in the Polish army. The potential of the Korean defense industry was presented by 31 companies. The Korean fair presentation was complemented by a show of taekwondo masters and performances by the Naval Orchestra, accompanied by dancers in traditional dragon costumes.
Billions in contracts at MSPO
Contracts worth PLN 100 billion were approved by the Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, during the 31st edition of MSPO in Targi Kielce. Half of this amount will go to the Polish arms industry. The agreements included those concluded between Poland's State Treasury and the US government for the purchase of elements of the WISŁA anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence system. Poland will receive 12 LTAMDS omni-directional radars, 48 PATRIOT M903 system launchers and a supply of PAC-3 MSE missiles. The next ones concern the supply of elements for the Narew and Pilica+ programs, NSM anti-ship missiles for the next two squadrons and FlyEye reconnaissance drones. 1,700 of these unmanned aerial vehicles are to be delivered by WB Electronics.
About 20 contracts and agreements were concluded by Polish Armaments Groups (PGZ) within three days, including financially binding ones worth PLN 54.1 billion. Of this amount, PLN 100 million will flow to Mesko in Skarżysko for, among other things, anti-aircraft ammunition supplies. Some of the agreements signed during MSPO will soon become financially valuable. Among them is the establishment of the production of American Javelin anti-tank missiles in Mesko. The Skarżysko-based company will be the first foreign plant where Javelins will be produced. The value of this contract is expected to be in hundreds of millions of złotys.
Defender Gala
Traditionally, the highlight of the International Defense Industry Exhibition MSPO was the DEFENDER awards ceremony. The distinction is awarded every year by the Program Council and the Competition Commission of the Kielce defence fair. The gala began with state awards for people who contributed to the development of the Polish defense industry and to strengthening the country's sovereignty and defence.
On behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, the decoration was made by the Deputy Head of the National Security Bureau, Lieutenant General Dariusz Łukowski. During the gala, the following awards were also presented: two equivalent awards of the President of the Republic of Poland for products that best serve to increase the level of safety of soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, the award of the Head of the National Security Bureau, the Minister of National Defence and a special award of the Minister of Development and Technology, the Award of the President of Kielce Fair and the Top Design award for stand arrangement. The following awards were also presented: awards of the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, awards and distinctions of the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces in the category of light infantry equipment and equipment, as well as awards and distinctions of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, special awards of the Program Council and, for the first time in the history of MSPO, awards of the President of the Polish Space Agency. Companies celebrating their anniversaries this year were also honoured.
We invite you to Kielce Fair for the 32nd International Defense Industry Exhibition on September 3-6, 2024!
Press release: Kielce Fair