MSPO 2019 - cutting-edge military equipment and important talks
- We were pleased to see this year's MSPO exhibition in Kielce. The spectacular trade show (...) is held already for 27th time. - This is how President Andrzej Duda describes the 2019’s International Defence Industry Exhibition.
The Defence Industry Expo in Targi Kielce has gone down in history as the exhibition which brought 610 companies from 31 countries, including 303 Polish companies; the expo hosted 58 official foreign delegations from 49 countries, 30.5 thousand guests from around the world joined the MSPO 2019, this number includes 13 thousand Open Day visitors, the final expo accord which accompanies MSPO. In addition to the guest of honour, President Andrzej Duda who graced the event with his presence, the expo also hosted Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence, HE Georgette Mosbacher, US Ambassador to Poland and the member of the Apollo 15 mission crew Alfred Merrill Worden.
- Poland has proved to be the NATO leader. It is really great that we can all be here together and work for the benefit of global safety and security. This expo shows the special relationship between the United States and Poland - said Georgette Mosbacher, US Ambassador to Poland at the MSPO opening ceremony.
MSPO 2019 featured the United States’ Lead Nation Exhibition, where 65 companies presented themselves - it was the largest presence of the American defence industry in the history of MSPO.
The International Defence Industry Exhibition was complemented with the 25th International Logistics Fair LOGISTYKA.
The MSPO and MTL exhibitors used 27,000 square meters in the 7 exhibition halls of the Kielce exhibition and congress centre and in its outdoor expo grounds. 2019 trade shows were the showcase for Exhibitors from: Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Lithuania, Germany, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United States, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Hungary, Great Britain and Italy. The USA, Germany, and Great Britain enjoyed most numerous companies representation. The global defence industry leaders also joined the expo to present their products and services.
The expo visitors had the opportunity to see the display of such helicopters as Boeing Apache AH-64, PZL Świdnik (Agusta-Leonardo) Głuszec,, PZL Mielec (Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin) Black Hawk 70, Bell Helicopter - 407 and Chinook. The expo stands abounded with armoured equipment and missile, explosives, equipment and materials for chemical forces, complemented with armaments and aviation equipment, armaments indispensable for air defence forces and the navy. Specialist offer for the Police forces, Border Guards as well as search and rescue units were also on display. The companies offered cutting-edge communication technologies, radio-electronic equipment and optoelectronics. The exhibition scope also encompassed food-stuffs and food preparation, storage and transport equipment complemented with various uniforms, accessories and medical supplies.
Important contracts signed at the MSPO
The Kielce Defence Expo is much more then the latest equipment exhibition showcased by companies from Poland and abroad. MSPO is first and foremost the place to do business and talk shop. The first expo day witnessed the contract signing ceremony - the Armament Inspectorate placed over PLN 720 million orders with the Polish Armaments Group companies. The Polish Armed Forces purchased BYSTRA Radiolocation Stations, Command and Control Vehicles based on Rosomak 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle and optoelectronic equipment from PCO SA
- Orders are the best confirmation of the product quality. The defence industry finds orders from the domestic Armed Forces the great compliment. We see the decision to acquire the equipment as the confirmation of our competences and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of National Defence’s trust. Thus PGZ's position as the main partner for the Polish army modernization programs has been strongly confirmed - said Sebastian Chwałek, vice president PGZ SA after signing the contracts.
MESKO signed the agreement with the British company. Thus MESKO has become an integral part of the MBDA global supply chain.
- Our company finds it a very busy time, packed with meetings and discussions. We regard MSPO very important because owing to the expo we have been able to sign a very important contract. - said Tomasz Stawiński, MESKO President.
Defender Gala Awarding Ceremony
The International Defence Industry Exhibition follows the many-year tradition to present the Defender Awards, Special Honours of the Minister of National Defence and the most important Award - of the President of the Republic of Poland Prize for the product best serving the purpose of enhancing Polish Army soldiers’ safety. The MSPO Gala Awarding Ceremony was when WB GROUP / WB ELECTRONICS SA from Ożarów Mazowiecki, the Combat Systems Autonomous Plant from Macierzysz were presented the most prestigious prize for their joint-project, the Loitering Munitions Systems Family– WARMATE.
The award of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology for the Best Polish Arms Exporter was presented for the second time; LUBAWA SA from Ostrów Wielkopolski is the 2019’s winner. Other Defender laureates and awards-winners can be found on line - go to the prizes and awards tab.
The Defence Expo abounds with conferences, seminars and workshops complemented with meeting which feature outstanding guests.
MSPO 2019 was supplemented with 38 conferences, debates, seminars and official meetings at company stands; all these focused on the most topical issues.
The Kielce Jan Kochanowski University’s International Politics and Security Institute organised the National Scientific Conference on the defence industry as Poland's economic and defence policy main subject.
"Polish supervision system over strategic importance commodities in international trade" was the seminar held on 3 September.
Colonel Alfred Merril Worden, the APOLLO 15 command module pilot, the featured guest of the USA Lead Nation Exhibition met young people at the Stanislw Kostka Catholic School Complex.
The youth listened to the International Defence Industry Exhibition guest's stories with great interest. Colonel Alfred Merril Worden mentioned that colonization of subsequent Solar System planets is very important. Students asked about the conditions in space. They were also curious to know many other facts.
MSPO Open Days for the second time
Almost 13,000 visitors made the best of the beautiful weather and interesting exhibition and they joined us in Targi Kielce on Saturday, 7 September. Of course, the youngest guests to the Open Day had the most fun when watching military equipment showcased at the International Defence Industry Exhibition. The edge-of-the-seat dynamic shows prepared by the Świętokrzyskie police forces, fire brigades as well as Aikido and Krav Maga clubs were also very popular among the audience. There were also lots of those willing to try and taste the genuine military pea soup.
We look forward to seeing you in Targi Kielce for the 28th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO - 8-11 September 2020.
