Transatlantic Defense Industry Access Forum opens in Warsaw

The Transatlantic Defense Industry Access Forum 2026 opened on November 9, 2026, at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw. Organized by the U.S. Embassy in Poland in cooperation with the Polish Ministry of National Defense, the event aims to strengthen industrial relations between Poland and the United States, facilitate access to transatlantic markets, and increase the production resilience of NATO member states.

Key participants included Polish Ministry of National Defense Secretary of State Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, U.S. Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to Poland Thomas Rose, and David Fogel, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The forum features expert panels and B2B sessions involving government officials, armed forces, and companies from the defense and aerospace sectors.

Discussions focused on integrating smaller technology companies and dual-use startups into NATO supply chains, specifically regarding artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and communications. Polish officials emphasized a shift from being a mere buyer to becoming a strategic partner through co-production, technology transfer, and local service centers, such as the recently announced Patriot missile system service center to be located in Poland.