The 10th Global Defence Helicopter (GDH) meeting takes place in Warsaw, Poland over the 17 – 19 October 2023, building on last year’s success when we welcomed over 600+ representatives from 50 NATO and friendly nations.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, terrorism, migration and human trafficking, the challenge of China’s international policies, cyber and other asymmetric threats, rapid advances in space, and climate change are some of the current NATO challenges. The endorsement by its 30 member nations of the NATO 2030 agenda has global implications hence increased dialogue and cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and strengthened engagement far beyond the Euro-Atlantic area.

With speed of response and tactical agility being at the heart of solutions to many of these defence and security challenges, rotary wing aviation – crewed and increasingly uncrewed – remains a critical capability for militaries of all sizes and capabilities.

It is therefore with pleasure that Global Defence Helicopter will return once again to Warsaw. Geographically at the heart of NATO’s response to Russian posturing towards Eastern Europe, Poland is also midway through a €43.2bn Technical Modernisation Plan for its armed forces, setting the standard for defence acquisition to counter modern as well as more traditional threats.