The first edition of the International Drone and Counter-Drone Systems Trade Fair – DRONE SECURITY EXPO® – will take place at EXPO Kraków on 7–8 October 2026. The event is organised by Targi w Krakowie Sp. z o.o. and SKYSMART Sp. z o.o., a company specialising in consulting, testing and designing solutions to protect critical infrastructure and strategic facilities against airborne threats.
This new addition to the EXPO Kraków calendar will combine an exhibition of the latest technological solutions with an expert conference, live demonstrations and meetings bringing together representatives of business, uniformed services, public administration, industry and academia.
The first event of its kind in southern Poland
Drones are increasingly being used not only for aerial filming and photography, but also in emergency and rescue services, energy, transport, logistics, agriculture and critical infrastructure protection. As drone technology continues to advance, systems capable of detecting and neutralising unauthorised unmanned aircraft are becoming increasingly important. Public safety and technological innovation will therefore be at the heart of this new event in Kraków.
At EXPO Kraków, visitors will have an opportunity to explore the full spectrum of drone technologies – from industrial, rescue and agricultural drones to advanced counter-drone systems. Exhibitors will include manufacturers and suppliers of UAV and C-UAS technologies, drone service operators and companies developing solutions for a wide range of industries.
DRONE SECURITY EXPO® 2026 is expected to attract professionals from numerous sectors to Kraków. Visitors will include representatives of the armed forces and uniformed services, public administration, operators of strategic facilities and critical infrastructure, as well as professionals from the energy, telecommunications, transport and logistics sectors.
The event will also welcome civilian drone users – including filmmakers, photographers and media professionals – as well as researchers and students interested in the development of emerging technologies.
Expert conference – a key part of DRONE SECURITY EXPO®
One of the highlights of DRONE SECURITY EXPO® will be an expert conference, with Portal Obronny serving as the conference’s content partner.
Six panel discussions, different perspectives and one central question: how can we harness the potential of unmanned technologies while preparing the state, armed forces, security services and critical infrastructure for the threats that are becoming increasingly real as drone technology advances?
The discussions will bring together representatives of the Polish Armed Forces, public administration, security services, industry, the energy and infrastructure sectors, and academia. Confirmed participants include General Mieczysław Bieniek, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Norfolk and adviser to the Polish Ministry of National Defence; Łukasz Strutyński, President of the Management Board of Kraków Airport; Colonel (Ret.) Jerzy Pałubiak, former Head of the Air Defence Forces of the Polish Land Forces; a representative of Kongsberg; and Professor Jerzy Lis, Rector of AGH University of Krakow.
The discussions will cover the role of unmanned systems in national security and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, as well as the development of Poland’s defence industry, AI and autonomous technologies, the protection of airports, energy infrastructure, railways and transmission networks, drone detection and neutralisation, and the development of integrated counter-drone systems.
Another important topic will be cooperation between government, the armed forces, academia and business, with particular focus on how to shorten the path from research and technology demonstrators to solutions ready for real-world deployment and large-scale production.
Two industries coming together at EXPO Kraków
The timing of the event is no coincidence. On 7–8 October, the neighbouring hall at EXPO Kraków will host the 14th edition of KOMPOZYT-EXPO® – the International Trade Fair for Composite Materials, Technologies and Products, the largest event of its kind in Poland.
“The two industries have many areas in common. Composite materials are widely used in aviation, the defence industry and unmanned systems, among other applications. Holding the two events at the same time will create an opportunity to bring together representatives of different sectors – manufacturers, engineers, experts, technology users and industry professionals – and encourage the exchange of knowledge across industries,” says Ewa Woch, President of Targi w Krakowie.
More information about KOMPOZYT-EXPO® is available at kompozyt-expo.pl.
Kraków as a meeting place for the future of unmanned technologies
The organisers’ ambition is for Kraków to become, for two days in October, a meeting place for those who design, manufacture and use unmanned technologies, as well as those responsible for security and the protection of critical and strategic facilities.
The inaugural edition is also intended to mark the beginning of a long-term project. DRONE SECURITY EXPO® aims to grow alongside the industry and establish Kraków as a platform for regular discussion on the future development of drones, counter-drone systems and their practical applications.
More information: dronesecurityexpo.pl