A man with a virtual reality headset is seen guided during a virtual landing exercise at the 25th edition of the International Defense Industry Expo (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, on Sept. 8, 2017. The 25th edition of the International Defense Industry Expo (MSPO), one of the largest military event in Europe, ended up here on Friday. (Xinhua/Jaap Arriens)
KIELCE, Poland, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 25th edition of the International Defense Industry Expo (MSPO), one of largest military event in Europe, held in Kielce, south central Poland ended up on Friday.
The event was accompanied by numerous exhibitions, conferences and awards, but also brought actual contracts.
World's leading defense industry companies' presence highlighted the events, with exhibitors from Poland, Germany, France, Norway, Britain, Turkey, Israel and the United States as well as many others.
According to Bartosz Kownacki, Polish deputy defense minister, this year's fair had secured contracts for Poland worth a total of 165 million euros.
In an interview with Polish Press Agency, Kownacki enumerated examples, including a combat drone supply deal to Ukraine, and an agreement on an initial survey of cooperation opportunities in combat helicopter production between the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the U.S. Bell Helicopters Corporation.
During the event, an agreement on the delivery of 53,000 FB-MSBS "Grot" assault rifles was signed between the Polish Ministry of Defense and the Lucznik arms factory, the value of which is estimated at around 117 million euros. Other signed deals concerned the delivery of infantry reconnaissance vehicles, optoelectronic equipment, overhead mines and aircraft power-supply equipment.
Kownacki also said Poland planned to purchase between 32 and 60 combat helicopters.
During the event, Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz announced a decision on the creation of Polish Cyber Army Bureau.
This year's edition of MSPO brought almost 600 companies from 27 countries, featuring also South Korea and its defence industry exhibition. The 2016 year edition attracted almost 22 000 visitors.
