Countdown to FEINDEF 25: defence and innovation come together in Madrid
- A global fair with strategic impact
- A first-class programme of activities
- INNOVA Space, a benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship
- An institutional and business meeting point
Spain's International Defence and Security Fair (FEINDEF) is gearing up.
Madrid is preparing to host the largest edition to date of this strategic event, which will take place from 12 to 14 May in halls 4, 6, 8 and 10 of IFEMA Madrid. With an exhibition area expanded to 66,690 m²—67% more than in 2023—and 601 confirmed exhibitors, 35,000 professionals and 93 international delegations are expected to attend.
Attendees at FEINDEF 25 will be able to discover everything from land, naval and aerospace defence systems to cybersecurity technologies, artificial intelligence, drones, advanced simulation and dual capabilities applied to the civil and military fields. In addition, throughout the three days, current geostrategic challenges, European technological autonomy and sustainability in the sector will be addressed and discussed.
In response to growing demand, FEINDEF 25 has expanded its exhibition space with the addition of a new pavilion dedicated exclusively to static displays, where advanced military technology systems, cutting-edge equipment and innovations in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and logistics will be on show. In addition, attendees will be able to see first-hand land, naval and air platforms, command and control systems, as well as advances in sustainability and dual technology applied to the field of defence and security.
A global fair with strategic impact
FEINDEF 25 is taking place in a geopolitical context undergoing profound change, marked by the effects of the war of aggression against Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, instability in the Sahel and the rise of hybrid threats. Added to this is the change in the strategic focus of the United States, which is increasingly oriented towards the Indo-Pacific and the containment of China, leading Europe to take on a more prominent role in its own security. Against this backdrop, the European Union has accelerated its commitment to strategic autonomy in defence, with an unprecedented increase in budgets, the creation of new common capabilities and the promotion of the European defence industry.
FEINDEF thus becomes a unique forum for addressing the priorities of the new investment cycle, international cooperation, technological innovation and the strategic reindustrialisation of the continent. This event will bring together representatives from 57 countries, international organisations, civil and military authorities, ambassadors, defence attachés and business leaders.
FEINDEF has had the institutional support of the Ministry of Defence since its first edition in 2019 and has consolidated the active participation of numerous national and international institutions. These include the European Commission through DG DEFIS and DG CONNECT, the Ministry of the Interior through the National Police, the Civil Guard and the Directorate-General for Civil Protection; the Ministry of Industry and Tourism through ENISA; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business through ICEX; and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through CDTI.
These organisations are joined by the CNI, INTA and other leading international organisations such as EDA, EUROPOL, NATO, OCCAR and the UN. This broad institutional involvement reflects the cross-cutting nature of the fair and its key role as a meeting point for the national and international defence and security ecosystem.
A first-class programme of activities
FEINDEF 25 is not just an exhibition fair. It is also a platform for reflection and knowledge generation, where institutional, military, business and academic leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities of this new cycle. In this regard, it will feature an ambitious programme of conferences, round tables and forums in which national and international experts will discuss the challenges in Europe and neighbouring regions, covering alliances and international cooperation.
INNOVA Space, a benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship
The INNOVA space at FEINDEF 25 is consolidating its position as a strategic meeting point for promoting innovation in the field of defence and security, fostering collaboration between public institutions, technology companies, universities and start-ups. Organised by the Directorate General for Strategy and Innovation in the Defence Industry (DIGEID), through the Sub-Directorate General for Planning, Technology and Innovation (SDG PLATIN), and by ISDEFE (Systems Engineering for the Defence of Spain), this space hosts, over three days, initiatives aimed at promoting talent, technology transfer and entrepreneurship, positioning itself as a catalyst for disruptive solutions that respond to the new challenges of the national and international security environment.
An institutional and business meeting point
With its combination of technological exhibition, strategic thinking and international outreach, FEINDEF 25 has established itself as much more than a trade fair: it is the meeting point where the future of European defence is defined, key alliances are forged and an industry that is a driver of innovation, security and economic progress is promoted. For three days, Madrid will be the epicentre of debate and cooperation in a sector that is essential for the present and future of Europe.