On Friday, 11 September 2026, the final day of the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2026 at Targi Kielce, the Defender awards were presented, along with the Award of the President of the Republic of Poland, special awards, distinctions from commanders of the Polish Armed Forces, and TOP DESIGN awards.
Photos: Targi Kielce
The Republic of Poland President’s Award
- The President of the Republic of Poland Award for the Product Making the Greatest Contribution to Enhancing the Safety of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces received the consortium of Polish Armaments Group – consortium leader and PIT-RADWAR – technical leader of the consortium for P-18PL mobile long-range preliminary detection radar.
Award of the Head of the National Security Bureau
- The award of the Head of the National Security Bureau presented to Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Institute of Automation and Measurements for PIAP TARANTULA.
The Minister’s of National Defence’s Distinction
- The Minister’s of National Defence’s Distinction went to Flytronic for GLADIUS 2.
The Special Distinction of the Programme Board
- The Special Distinction of the Programme Board for Polish Naval Academy (leader), Air Force Institute of Technology, Military University of Technology, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa [Jastrzębska Coal Company] S.A., for the R-BSP (Swarm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) technology demonstrator for the detection, classification and tracking of underwater objects
DEFENDERY 2026 – prestigious MSPO statuettes
The DEFENDER Awards are among the most important awards presented at the International Defence Industry Exhibition. In 2026, the statuettes were awarded to:
- AGH University of Krakow (leader), POLREMACO LLC , and HYDROMEL LLC, for the universal engineering machine designed for digging firing trenches, based on a tracked tractor with a digging and loading unit
- Przedsiębiorstwo Sprzętu Ochronnego [Protective Equipment Company] MASKPOL S.A. for the HBT-02 ballistic helmet
- Military Institute of Armament Technology – leader, DEZAMET S.A. Metal Works – consortium member, for the RPG-25 “DZIĘCIOŁ”
- Central Military Bureau of Design and Technology S.A. for the LUZES II/M s. VII aircraft ground power supply unit
- RADMOR S.A. for the StormRider System
- PCO S.A. (leader), DEZAMET S.A. Metal Works for the C-OBRA modern soft-kill vehicle self-protection system
- Military Institute of Armoured and Automotive Technology, CHEMA DS, Tarnów Mechanical Plant, PCO, NITRO-CHEM and the TELESYSTEM-MESKO Development and Implementation Center – for the System of Autonomous Multi-Purpose Unmanned Vehicles “PACK”;
- Creotech Quantum SA for the QGebo Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) System
- Hammar Maskin AB for the HAMMAR XXL36
- Autobox Innovations LLC GP for the Mobile Additive Manufacturing Station (MSWP) mounted on a STAR 266M2 vehicle
Award of the President of Targi Kielce Management Board
The award of the President of the Management Board of Targi Kielce went to the consortium of NovaRESK – leader and Ale Hale – consortium member for KPWTP-1 – Container Field Workshop for Additive Technologies.
The Award Deputy Director of the National Centre for Research and Development
- The award was presented to the consortium comprised of PIT-RADWAR, Military University of Technology and Warsaw University of Technology for the project “Development of a prototype of a multifunctional fire control radar with phased beam scanning in two planes for a short-range air defense missile system (ZROP-KZ), codename NAREW”. The project was distinguished for its high level of innovation, strategic importance for national security and great implementation potential.
Special Award of the Minister of Finance and Economy
- Special Award of the Minister of Development, Labour and Technology for “Best Polish Arms Exporter” went to WB Group
General Commanded of Branches of Armed Forces’ Main Award
- The General Commander of Branches of Armed Forces’ Main Award and Distinction for the winner of “The Best Presentation – the Best Expo Stand” Competition was presente to the Inspectorate of Unmanned Weapon Systems.
General Commanded of Branches of Armed Forces’ Distinctions
- The Cyberspace category – accolade presented to CloudFerro for bastion – a mobile container cloud system.
- In the Logistics category – the distinction presented to Modular System for its modular construction.
- In the Military Reconnaissance and Troops of the Branches of the Armed forces – the accolade presented to SATIM Satellite Monitoring for OREC Evolve Object Recognition.
- In the Command, Support and Protection of Troops category – Air Force Institute of Technology for SYLAND laser drone destruction system.
The Award of the Territorial Defence Forces
- The distinction of the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces in the category of equipment and supplies for light infantry soldiers was awarded to HERTZ SYSTEMS for portable modular anti-drone system.
- The award in the same category was presented to Concept for light combat vehicle VIRUS-L.
Distinction of the Head of the Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces
- Recognition for modernity and innovation at the 27th Polish Armed Forces’ Exhibition and 35 MSPO presented to Corporal Paweł Ojdana from 52. Repair Battalion of the 1 Logistics Brigade
JUBILEE Awards
The gala recognised companies and individuals celebrating business anniversaries this year; the list of honour:
- Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces – 20 years,
- El-Cab – 30 years,
- Lubawa – 75 years,
- Jarosław Dąbrowski Military University of Technology – 75 years,
- Prof. Janusz Groszkowski Military Institute of Communications – National Research Institute – 75 years,
- Military Institute of Armament Technology – 100 years,
- ITA – Italian Trade Agency – 100 years
- Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation – 100 years.
TOP OF THE TOP DESIGN MSPO 2026
TOP OF THE TOP DESIGN MSPO 2026 went to
- Canada Pavilion – Canadian Embassy – for the professional Organisation of the Lead Nation Exhibition of Canada
- Polish Armaments Group – for the Professional Organisation of an Impressive-Scale Group Exhibition
TOP DESIGN 2026
TOP DESIGN was bestowed on the following companies:
- COGNOR HSJ Branch in Stalowa Wola,
- Griffin Group Defense,
- Northrop Grumman Corporation,
- RTX Corporation
- WB GROUP.
TOP DESIGN Awards went to:
- EMBRAER,
- OMAG Machinery and Equipment Factory,
- NIEWIADÓW POLISH MILITARY GROUP,
- POLISH DEVELOPMENT FUND / Team Poland,
- Saab AB,
- Ukrainian Defense Industry
- Military Institute of Armoured and Automotive Technology.
