The fourth edition of the Spanish International Defense and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) concluded on May 14 in Madrid, drawing over 44,000 visitors and hosting a range of strategic discussions and partnerships.
Held at IFEMA from May 12 to 14, the event brought together more than 600 exhibitors and 91 international delegations across four exhibition halls.
Institutional participation was high throughout the three-day event. The opening ceremony was led by Ángel Olivares, president of the FEINDEF Foundation, with additional remarks from TEDAE President Ricardo Martí Fluxá and AESMIDE President Gerardo Sánchez Revenga. Spanish government officials in attendance included Minister of Defense Margarita Robles, Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu, Secretary of State for Defense María Amparo Valcarce, and National Intelligence Center (CNI) Director Esperanza Casteleiro. Chiefs of Staff from Spain’s Army, Navy, and Air Force also took part in a roundtable on technological transformation within the armed forces.
The exhibition served as a venue for new agreements and strategic announcements concerning industrial policy, technological autonomy, and future capability development. Global sponsors such as Airbus, EM&E, AMPER, Grupo Oesía, Indra, and Navantia were present, contributing to discussions on the reorganization of industrial structures, the need for European coordination, and long-term investment in critical technologies.
Cybersecurity and emerging technologies were major focal points throughout the fair. The INNOVA Space featured presentations and debates on digitalization, dual-use technologies, and defense-related innovation. Sessions were organized with the participation of institutions such as CDTI, ISDEFE, DIANA, and INCIBE, and addressed the growing significance of cyber defense in the context of hybrid threats.
Events led by the Joint Cyberspace Command, the CNI, the Civil Guard, and private cybersecurity firms explored evolving approaches to deterrence, resilience, and threat anticipation in the digital domain. Panels also looked at artificial intelligence applications, including compact models for logistics and other military functions.
During the closing day, Secretary of State for Defense María Amparo Valcarce joined a panel discussion titled “Women, Engineering, and Defense.” She emphasized the importance of highlighting women’s contributions to innovation and leadership in the sector. The session was part of the MID Project, a collaboration among multiple institutions aimed at increasing visibility and inclusion of women in defense engineering.
Diplomatic and commercial engagements continued alongside the exhibition, involving representatives from 56 countries. Other initiatives focused on outreach to younger generations and promoting broader societal engagement with defense topics, including a public-oriented panel under the theme “In Defense of All.”
With a large international turnout and active participation from both public and private sectors, FEINDEF 2025 underscored the increasing relevance of coordinated innovation and defense industry collaboration in a shifting global security landscape.
