Defence24 Days 2025: The largest Defence and Security conference in CEE has started

During the inauguration of Defence24 Days, speeches were given by Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Jakub Jaworowski, Minister of State Assets, Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the General Staff, and Piotr Małecki, President of the Management Board of the Defence 24 Group.

Defence24 Days is the largest security conference in this part of Europe, which we organise with the support of many partners, including ministries and other institutions. I am proud that we are able to continue organising this conference, which is growing every year and attracting more and more interested parties, both panellists and listeners. - said Piotr Małecki, President of Defence24, at the opening of the event.

„This year’s edition is unique because the Minister of Defence has supported our event with an exhibition of military equipment produced by the Polish defence industry. This is particularly important in creating a pro-export environment, but also in showing the pace of technical modernisation of the Polish Armed Forces,” added Małecki.

„Defence24 Days is a major event, something that attracts attention not only in Poland but also among our allies, as demonstrated by the presence of over 50 foreign delegations. It is one of the most important events in the world due to the reach of the Defence24 portal. What Defence24 has been doing for seven years is providing a great educational foundation and a basis for building the military capabilities of the entire society. The threat from Russia is the greatest it has been in decades. There are three pillars of countering this threat: a strong society, a strong army and strong alliances,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz during the inauguration.

„We need solidarity and brotherhood. NATO is precisely that brotherhood. Some are trying to pit the EU against NATO. But we cannot allow that. Poland is a leader in defence spending. We are trying to increase defence spending, including by transferring 26 PLN billion (approx. 6.7 USD billion) from the National Recovery Plan to strengthening security. Our large presence at the government level at Defence24 Days shows this government’s commitment to security issues. This is a priority for the Polish government,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

„We are working on a bill that will accelerate investment in defence production. Thanks to the changes it contains, including in the area of environmental permits, it will reduce the time needed to implement investments in the defence sector by up to three times,” added Kosiniak-Kamysz.

„Geopolitics is changing before our very eyes. The situation across the Atlantic is different, and technological development is changing. Technology is becoming a key resource. The next conflict will not start with air strikes, but with attacks in cyberspace. The development of artificial intelligence, quantum computers and other areas of technology must be of interest to the military. Cyberspace is a battlefield. We are the most attacked country in the EU. In 2024, 600,000 incidents were reported in cyberspace, over 100,000 of which required a response from the services. This is an increase of 60 per cent compared to the previous year. Today, Poland is the main target of Russian infiltration. This is happening in the fields of disinformation, responsibility for critical infrastructure, and, in recent months, democracy. We are currently witnessing unprecedented Russian interference in the electoral process. Not on the side of a specific party or force, but generally on the Polish political scene. Russia sees us as a target”, said Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, during his inaugural speech.

’We have an idea based on the Piast vision, that values should be supported by a strong army, a strong economy and strong alliances - with the US and Europe. These elements are focused on the pillars of security. The road to building a strong defence industry is difficult, we are not starting from an easy place, we do not have a good geopolitical environment. But we also have many advantages related to the strength of companies under the supervision of Ministry of State Assets,” said Jakub Jaworowski, head of Ministry of State Assets.

„We are determined to ensure that 100% of large-calibre ammunition production takes place in Poland. This includes both 120 and 155 mm calibres. I am confident that within 2-3 years we will be able to fully nationalise ammunition production in Polish arms factories,” added Jaworowski.

„The Polish Armed Forces are currently undergoing the largest transformation in its history. This transformation includes changes in all aspects of the functioning of the armed forces. It is possible thanks to funding of over 4% of GDP. Further transformation will be possible if this level is maintained and, I hope, even increased. We hope to create forces that will be strong and modern. Our primary goal is to deter and prevent the outbreak of armed conflict,” said Chief of the General Staff Wiesław Kukuła.

Defence 24 Days is an annual conference dedicated to security and defence. The 7th edition of this two-day event will take place in 2025. This year, the event will feature over 70 panel and discussion sessions.

The PGE will also host an exhibition of the world’s largest arms companies. Military equipment used by the Polish Armed Forces will be on display on the grounds of the »national« exhibition centre, including the Borsuk IFV, M1A1 Abrams MBT, K2 MBT, Krab and K9 howitzers, HOMAR-K and HOMAR-A Multiple Launcher Rocket Systems.

This year’s edition of Defence24 Days will be attended by over 4,000 guests from around the world, including over 400 panellists.