From Kielce to Madrid: Spain gains prominence in European defence and FEINDEF 27 consolidates its position as a leading showcase

From 18 to 20 May 2027, Madrid will host FEINDEF 27, the fifth edition of FEINDEF, Spain’s International Defence and Security Exhibition. The growth of the Spanish market reflects a structural transformation. With annual investment exceeding €30 billion, the country is advancing modernisation programmes and technological developments that create new opportunities for industry, combine innovation with dual-use technologies and strengthen links to European value chains. This evolution positions Spain as a relevant player in the new industrial balance of European defence and also demonstrates that investing in defence means investing in preserving our way of life and ensuring a safer environment.

For international companies, the Spanish market offers more than market access: it offers long-term growth potential. Public-private cooperation and openness to new partnerships are driving an industrial cycle with tangible opportunities for development and growth in Europe.

Against this backdrop, FEINDEF 27 is consolidating its position as one of the main gateways to this ecosystem. The exhibition brings together industry, institutions and international delegations in an environment designed to facilitate business, cooperation and the establishment of international companies in the Spanish market.

Supported by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and driven by TEDAE and AESMIDE, two of the sector’s leading industry associations in Spain, FEINDEF has consolidated its position in recent editions as one of Europe’s leading events. Its multidomain scope, spanning land, sea, air, space, cyberspace and emerging technologies, reflects the shift towards increasingly interconnected operational environments. Its distinctive value lies in access to senior decision-makers, its emphasis on industrial cooperation and agendas focused on tangible outcomes.

More companies, greater international reach and new opportunities

FEINDEF 27 marks a new step in the exhibition’s evolution. The organisation expects to welcome more than 63,000 professional visitors, bring together around 800 exhibiting companies and expand the exhibition area to nearly 90,000 m². Beyond increasing its scale, the aim is to enhance the quality of interactions through more effective B2B agendas and a stronger presence of senior decision-makers.

Strong sales momentum confirms the industry’s interest. Of the companies confirmed so far, 40% are first-time participants, and 26% of these are from international markets. Meanwhile, returning companies have increased their booked exhibition area by around 30%, reinforcing confidence in FEINDEF as a platform for visibility, cooperation and industrial development.

This momentum builds on the results of 2025, when visitor numbers rose by nearly 80% and company participation by more than 40% compared with the previous edition. The exhibition brought together major companies, SMEs, start-ups, technology centres and universities, alongside official delegations, institutions and international organisations including NATO, the European Commission and the European Defence Agency.

At a time when Europe is strengthening its industrial and technological capabilities, FEINDEF 27 aims to connect stakeholders, facilitate partnerships and contribute to a more innovative, competitive and better-prepared industry.

For Polish companies seeking to expand their presence in Europe, the exhibition offers a route to turn their technological capabilities into high-level contacts, industrial agreements and new growth prospects.

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