FEINDEF 25 closes a historic edition with more than 44,000 visitors, strategic agreements and a decisive boost to innovation in defence
- Institutional and strategic leadership
- Strategic agreements and industrial cooperation
- INNOVA: the heart of innovation
- Cyber defence, AI and disruptive technologies
The fourth edition of the International Defence and Security Fair of Spain (FEINDEF 25), held at IFEMA Madrid from 12 to 14 May, concluded by consolidating its position as the benchmark platform for international cooperation, industrial promotion and technological innovation in the defence sector. Over three days, more than 44,000 professional visitors toured the four pavilions of a fair that brought together more than 600 exhibitors and 91 international delegations.
Institutional and strategic leadership
The opening ceremony was chaired by Ángel Olivares, president of the FEINDEF Foundation, and was attended by Ricardo Martí Fluxá, president of TEDAE, and Gerardo Sánchez Revenga, president of AESMIDE. It was also attended by the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles; the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Secretary of State for Defence, María Amparo Valcarce; and Esperanza Casteleiro, Secretary of State and Director of the National Intelligence Centre (CNI), together with the Chiefs of Staff of the three Armed Forces, who took part in a round table discussion on technological challenges and operational transformation in the Armed Forces.
In addition, the Secretary of State for Defence participated in the closing session with an institutional speech as part of the round table discussion on ‘Women, Engineering and Defence’, where she highlighted the role of female talent in innovation and transformation in the sector.
Strategic agreements and industrial cooperation
The fair was the setting for the presentation of industrial and technological plans and strategies for industrial autonomy. The active participation of the Global Sponsoring Companies —Airbus, EM&E, AMPER, Grupo Oesía, Indra and Navantia— reinforced their leadership in the key content of the event.
Topics such as the reorganisation of the industrial fabric, investment in critical capabilities, and the need for a collaborative European structure to guarantee technological and operational sovereignty were addressed.
INNOVA: the heart of innovation
The INNOVA Space was the epicentre of disruptive technology, with activities, meetings between start-ups and investment funds, and debates on dual technologies, digitalisation and digital defence. Over the three days, leaders from institutions such as CDTI, ISDEFE, DIANA and INCIBE took part.
Cyber defence, AI and disruptive technologies
Cyber defence played a central role throughout the conference, with conferences organised by the Joint Cyber Command (MCCE), the National Intelligence Centre (CNI), the Civil Guard and leading cybersecurity companies. Innovative models against cybercrime, deterrence in the digital environment and the role of cyberspace as an operational domain were discussed.
In addition, advances in AI applied to military logistics, model compression (CompactifAI) and new-generation technological systems were presented. These included panels on disruptive technologies for the future.
FEINDEF 25 also highlighted the role of society in defence, with initiatives such as the panel ‘In defence of all’, aimed at bringing the sector closer to new generations. At the same time, intense diplomatic and commercial activity took place with representatives from 56 countries.
