ABOUT THE FAIR
The Defence Manufacturing & Materials Expo is a highly specialised trade exhibition dedicated to the industrial supply chain that underpins the defence sector. Rather than showcasing finished weapons systems, the event focuses on the companies, technologies and manufacturing processes that make their development and production possible. As such, it serves as a key platform for manufacturers, suppliers, procurement organisations and industrial partners operating across the international security and defence industry.
The exhibition takes place at the Katowice International Conference and Congress Centre in Katowice, one of Poland’s leading industrial and economic hubs. It is organised by Fortem International Ltd., a UK-based exhibition organiser with extensive experience in delivering international events across the security, defence, technology and industrial sectors.
The Defence Manufacturing & Materials Expo focuses on the technological and industrial foundations of modern defence capabilities. Key areas of interest include advanced materials and specialist engineering materials such as lightweight alloys, composite materials, high-temperature alloys, and protective and camouflage coatings. Precision manufacturing, CNC machining, the production of mission-critical components, and modern supply-chain solutions for major system integrators also feature prominently. These areas are complemented by forging and casting technologies, structural components for air, land and maritime platforms, and additive manufacturing solutions ranging from spare-parts production to certified end-use applications for the defence sector.
The exhibition also showcases innovative solutions in electronics, sensing technologies, embedded computing, power generation and energy management. Further areas of focus include digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD, CAM and CAE systems, digital twins, simulation technologies and AI-driven production planning. The offering is complemented by robotics, automated manufacturing cells, autonomous production systems, quality assurance, metrology, non-destructive testing, and defence compliance and certification services. Contract manufacturing, outsourcing strategies and resilient supply chains are also becoming increasingly important in response to rising defence spending and evolving global security requirements.
A major highlight of the event is its extensive conference programme, featuring leading experts from industry, the military, government and procurement organisations. Presentations and panel discussions address a wide range of topics, including ammunition and propellant production, unmanned and autonomous systems, armoured vehicles and land platforms, advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, electronic warfare, sensor technologies and C4ISR systems, supply-chain resilience, defence procurement, and international cooperation and investment models.
Exhibitors represent a broad cross-section of the defence manufacturing ecosystem. Participants include materials manufacturers, metal processing companies, forging and foundry specialists, engineering firms, providers of automation and robotics solutions, electronics and sensor manufacturers, industrial digitalisation software developers, and service providers specialising in quality assurance, certification and contract manufacturing. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the industrial supply chain that supports modern defence systems.
The exhibition is exclusively open to trade visitors. Key attendee groups include decision-makers from the defence industry, procurement authorities, armed forces, system integrators, OEMs, suppliers, design and development engineers, production managers, materials specialists, and representatives of government agencies and international defence organisations. Investors, project managers and procurement professionals also attend to identify new technologies, suppliers and strategic partners.
Located in the heart of Katowice, directly adjacent to the iconic Spodek Arena, the modern Katowice International Conference and Congress Centre offers excellent accessibility. The venue is easily reached via Katowice International Airport as well as Poland’s extensive motorway and rail networks, providing an ideal setting for international exhibitors and trade visitors from across Europe and beyond.
The Defence Manufacturing & Materials Expo will take place on 2 days from Wednesday, 28. April to Thursday, 29. April 2027 in Katowice.