MSPO 2026: Polish-Canadian Cooperation as an Opportunity for Europe

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These themes will be among the key topics discussed at the Lead Nation Conference entitled „Canada as a Trusted Defence Partner: Delivering Capabilities, Industrial Strength, and Allied Security”. This event will take place the afternoon of 9 September during MSPO 2026. It is organized by the Government of Canada, in cooperation with Defence24.pl.

Canada’s prominent presence at this year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, including the largest Canadain defence-focussed trade mission of over 250 organisations and over 500 delegates, and largest-ever Canadian mission to Poland, sends a clear signal of Canada’s growing commitment to supporting collective defence, deterrence, and transatlantic security, from the Arctic to the Eastern flank. Canada has delivered on a core objective of its plan – achieving the NATO 2% of GDP defence spending target.Over the next decade, Canada will deliver $500b in defence investment, putting the country on a clear path toward meeting the new NATO Defence Investment Pledge of 5% of  GDP by 2035, and 4% by 2030.

Canada’s participation in MSPO 2026 as the Lead Nation is part of its broader engagement to diversify trade, expand strategic partnerships and advance defence-industrial ties with European partners. The increasingly demanding security environment, rapid technological development and economic challenges make closer cooperation across different formats in these areas more important than ever.

Canada’s strong commitment to this cooperation is demonstrated by its participation in the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument as the first non-European country to join the initiative. Joint procurement, mutual technology transfer and the strengthening of supply chains provide opportunities for the development of the defence industries of both countries, while also supporting broader economic and military cooperation, including with other countries in the region. Canada wishes to continue building partnerships with stakeholders from Poland and the wider region. The unprecedented level of participation  at MSPO 2026 is the perfect opportunity to strengthen commercial relationships and pursue new business opportunities.

How can Canada work with its allies to strengthen NATO’s collective defence? How can the potential of the SAFE instrument be used to expand industrial cooperation? How can synergies between the Polish and Canadian defence industries be developed? What role should technology transfer play, and which areas of Polish-Canadian cooperation offer the greatest potential, taking into account the capabilities of both countries? How can cooperation between Poland and Canada translate into stronger industrial capabilities, economic growth and the defence capabilities required to protect NATO’s entire eastern flank?

Some of these questions – and others – will be addressed during the Lead Nation Conference „Canada as a Trusted Defence Partner: Delivering Capabilities, Industrial Strength, and Allied Security” The conference will bring together representatives of Poland’s Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of State Assets, the Polish Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as senior Canadian officials who work on Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. The audience will include Canadian, Polish and other international attendees, including representatives of the defence industries.

The event will provide a unique opportunity for government and defence industry representatives, experts, journalists to explore the opportunities arising from Canada’s increased engagement in industrial cooperation with Poland and in European and international defence initiatives.

We warmly invite you to attend the Lead Nation Conference „Canada as a Trusted Defence Partner: Delivering Capabilities, Industrial Strength, and Allied Security”.

9 September 2026 | 12:30–16:00\ Kappa + Lambda Conference Room | Targi Kielce | MSPO 2026