The DEFENDER Awards are granted for exceptional achievements in the field of defense, recognizing both companies and institutions. This year, the awards honored innovative vehicles, loitering munitions systems, passive location systems, and other modern solutions supporting security. The awards are selected by the MSPO Program Council, chaired by Paweł Bejda, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense. This year’s distinctions were presented by the Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who attended the ceremony. The Deputy Prime Minister also presented a special award on behalf of the Minister of National Defense.
Photos: Targi Kielce
Awards were also presented for the design of exhibition booths that stood out not only for their aesthetics but also for their functionality, as part of the TOP DESIGN 2024 competition.
During the ceremony, companies celebrating anniversaries were honored, special awards were given, and distinctions were granted by key military institutions such as the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, the Territorial Defence Forces Command, and the Armed Forces General Command.
DEFENDER 2024 Awards:
- Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) – for the 4×4 Waran tactical multi-purpose vehicle.
- Consortium of companies: FlyFocus, Metalexport-S, Air Force Institute Of Technology, Jakusz – for the Striker loitering munition system.
- Scientific-industrial consortium: Polish Naval Academy, PIT-Radwar, Military University Of Technology, ZM Tarnów – for the 35 mm Naval Weapon System OSU-35K.
- PIT-Radwar (leader), AM Technologies, Warsaw University Of Technology – for Passive Location System (SPL).
- The Military Institute Of Armoured And Automotive Technology (leader), CHEMA DS, MISTA – for the configurable autonomous multi-purpose platform KUNA.
- GISS – for the modular satellite terminal SatPack COBALT.
- Consortium of companies: Military University Of Technology, Institute Of Optoelectronics, Teldat, NASK National Research Institute – for the modular optical quantum cryptography system.
- Demarko Military Vehicles – for the ST 775-24W.H-PA low-loader trailer.
- Consortium of companies: Autocomp Management, Military Institute Of Armament Technology – for the network-centric command module of the comprehensive simulator for training units equipped with the KTO Rosomak.
- Arex / WB Group – for the ZMU-05 remote weapon module.
Awards for exhibition booths design (TOP DESIGN 2024):
- Griffin Group S.A.
- Defence Hanwha Aerospace
- Hyundai Rotem Company
- WB Group
- Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) – for the large-scale and professionally executed group presentation.
Distinctions for exhibition booths design (TOP DESIGN 2024):
- NAUDI National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries
- RTX Corporation
- Team Defence Australia
- Sarsılmaz Silah Sanayi A.Ş.
- UMO
Anniversaries:
- Polish Space Agency (POLSA) – 10th anniversary
- Direct Action – 10th anniversary
- KRYPTON POLSKA – 20th anniversary
- The Association of Purveyors for Uniformed Services – 20th anniversary
- Mactronic – 35th anniversary of operation, and 20th anniversary of participation in MSPO
- ASTUTE – 35th anniversary
- UNITRONEX – 50th anniversary
- PIT-Radwar – 90th anniversary
- Mesko – 100th anniversary
Special Awards:
- BC Arms – for WARRIOR line
- Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute Of Aviation – for ILR-33 Bursztyn 2K rocket
Territorial Defence Force Commander’s Award
- AGREGATY PEX-POOL PLUS – for the SOWA observation, detection, and alert system (distinction)
- AUTO PODLASIE – for the ALAKRAN self-propelled mortar system (award)
Armed Forces Operational Commander’s Award
- Warsaw University Of Technology – for the mobile radar laboratory – passive radar (reconnaissance).
- Military Institute Of Engineer Technology – for the universal anti-tank fragmentation grenade (operation support).
- Autobox Innovations – for the AH 20.44 high-mobility personnel and cargo truck (operation support).
- AP-FLYER – for the MADDOS MDP, mobile drone protection system (force protection and survivability).
- Zakład Doskonalenia Zawodowego Kraków – for the multifunctional automated network devices of the PAX series (command support).
Main Award of the General Commander of the Armed Forces:
- Inspectorate Of Land Forces –for the best presentation – best booth.
- Epidemiological Response Center of the Armed Forces – for professional and immediate surgical assistance provided during MSPO.
Award of the President of the Polish Space Agency:
- Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute Of Aviation – for the success of the Polish suborbital rocket ILR-33 Bursztyn 2K.
Award of the Head of the National Security Bureau:
- Consortium of companies: AMZ-KUTNO, Military Communications Institute, Military Institute Of Chemistry And Radiometry, Military Institute Of Armament Technology – for the light armored reconnaissance vehicle LOTR.
Special Award of the Minister of Development and Technology – Best Polish Arms Exporter:
- Jakusz – for export achievements.
Award of the President of Targi Kielce:
- WB Electronics – for EyeQ -Tactical Battlefield Reconnaissance System.
Special Distinction of the Minister of National Defense:
- Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute Of Aviation – for the Polish rocket ILR-33 Bursztyn 2K.
Award of the President of the Republic of Poland:
- Radmor / WB Group –for the Perad 5010 broadband personal radio.
