Today, IFEMA in Madrid presents itself as a peaceful trench—an untouched battlefront where potential artillery remains unarmed. This despite the fact that not a single weapon is missing from this Spanish international defense and security trade fair (Enfedef). Nor any of its derivatives, which transform war into an updated combat whose pace rivals that of iPhones. This game is all about weapons. Or the vehicles that transport them. Or the satellites that guide them. In short, that’s the crux of the matter.
The hedonism toward testosterone is less than expected, yet equally present. Security and defense are—albeit increasingly less so—still a primarily male territory, and the most visible femininity is at the forefront of the stands. These showcases present a colorful mix to a predominantly professional audience. An imposing, rosy-cheeked gentleman who calls himself Juan comments: “I belong to the private security sector, but I can’t specify any more.” He speaks with an air of mystery and secrecy—a common symptom of most of those present at the enemy defense. “There are almost no amateurs here. With Spanish legislation and the culture we have, I can tell you that only people dependent on this sector come here,” he concludes, winking with one eye and keeping the other in the sight of a machine gun.
Nothing is lacking to reassure. From Kevlar jackets to mini-submarines, sniper rifles and drones resembling steel monsters to rocket-propelled grenades and grenade launchers in the purest style of Tony Montana’s “Say hello to my little friend!”—the entire arsenal is at the disposal of the respected security professionals, preppers, and newcomers, who, with trembling hands, examine the various types of weapons like cell phones in a store. With their little cords and all. “Don’t put them up your sleeves and let us be upset,” despite the fact that their lack of ammunition portends the inevitable trigger.
Of particular interest to neophytes is the origin of these tools, which is usually Czech or Turkish – producers at the forefront of the industry. Another surprise is their weight. At first glance, one might think they’re made of plastic to appear modern. But no, this is expensive metal. With weight. The weapons have a bearing that inspires respect. The models on display are essentially looking for buyers in the military sector.
“Sarsılmaz is the largest arms producer in Europe, including Turkey,” says Murat, the Turkish company’s representative at Feindef. “Our factory has a 145-year history. We started by producing pistols, then rifles, and now we also produce machine guns. We manufacture weapons of all calibers: 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, and also, although not here, we produce 20 and 25 mm weapons.” Murat’s statement is not trivial and serves as an example of a curious fact: Turkey’s capitalization in the production of these weapons since 2011, when the government gave the lobby significant advantages. “We are very strong in regions such as Africa, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and also in Ukraine,” Murat admits. “In addition, we have a branch in the United States, and part of the Texas police force already uses our ‘SAR 9 SOCOM’ pistol. Can you imagine Chuck Norris showing off a weapon from Istanbul? Undoubtedly, globalization has penetrated previously unfamiliar spaces.”
As mentioned, the audience at this event is quite different from that at the restaurant. Chevrons are parading everywhere. Police officers, firefighters, and uniformed soldiers rub shoulders with gun lobby executives and muscular men in tight T-shirts with expressionless faces. They talk about contracts, new prototypes, the seductive expectations of this or that group, and the Serrano ham they fillet in almost every stall. At this fair, delicacy is as democratized as military allusions. “Si vis pacem, para bellum?” (If you want peace, prepare for war.) That’s not clear. But if you prepare a dish with acorn-fed ham, you’ll certainly have it in the egg.
Those not stumbling around with offers or playing John Wick to try out the rust-colored CZ TS 2 or the gold-plated Kilinç 2000 Light climb into the titanic vehicles on display around the venue. In the glow of their combustion, these cars must seem apocalyptic. Here, however, stiff and sleepy, those in attendance line up to climb aboard with a Christmas twinkle in their eyes. One could consider them a fairground propn—with deadly power, of course, but no greater than that of the Ferris wheel in your city’s open field, which squeaks more with each new year it settles into.
At first glance, it seems as if Spain contributes first-class material to this explosive universe. It’s difficult to boast about this without ever having set foot in a war zone. Nevertheless, the monstrous presence of its battleships, ships, and battle vehicles with the national flag on their bibs lends the national genre an admirable aura. Be careful, and not just in wartime battles. Rescue, sea rescue, and UME units have prime locations on the enemy defense. An exhibition that, on the other hand, doesn’t deter him from his armored penchant for questions.
The law of omerta applies to both the emergency room and the other organizations in the public sphere. Negative and no answers to every possible question. Only one soldier, hidden behind a counter in the Joint Cyberspace Command room, is willing to talk. But only a little, just enough to clarify: “The Joint Cyberspace Command is a unit directly subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff. Our task is to ensure the functionality and freedom of action within the armed forces’ networks within the framework of operations,” he says. The blackout? He doesn’t even want to talk about it. Russian hacktivists? No comments. The quality of the ham? Information classified between the lateral incisors and the canines. There’s no truth serum in sight at the fair. Pity.
If you ask about the war in Ukraine, the answer is just as vague. And that’s despite the fact that there is Ukrainian stew at this fair—a scent that wafts through the environment. Like an unpleasant, yet simultaneously promising breath. Only the weapons manufacturers claim without hesitation that they are supplying weapons to the conflict, and they are willing to condemn the conflict. To pray for its completeness. Of course, Russia, as a country and as a concept, is explosive. Its name is whispered like Voldemort’s in Harry Potter. An enemy everyone considers, but it’s better not to mention it.
In the field of security and defense, however, there’s always room for the avant-garde. It’s one of those things people forget: that cell phones, computers, and even the technological power of the Roomba are offshoots of military investments. Patricia Sierra, director of Monodom, reminds us of this when she points out the duality of the maritime drone—like a retro-futuristic whale shark—that they are presenting at the fair: “What we mainly do is research and development (R&D),” says Sierra, “and we rely on research centers and scientists. Our goal is to develop a dual technology that can be used in both the defense and civilian sectors. For example, this drone you see here will be used for security and defense surveillance as well as for environmental tasks such as coral monitoring or marine biodiversity. For us, it’s very important that technologies have multiple applications,” she adds.
There’s an ambivalent reading in this security and defense meeting that makes it difficult to portray. On the one hand, the movement of handshakes, demonstrations, and conversations is reminiscent of a Campeche meeting. Tension relief. On the other hand, we’re not talking about a lollipop fraternity. In Spain, the arms sector and the satellites orbiting it are capitalized by professionals who treat the civilian population with hermeticism – often subject to orders that punish disobedience as a crime.
Their secrecy is only proof that the arms lobby here is not driven by a warmongering mentality with a Rambo complex, but rather restricts itself primarily to those spaces where the use of force is a matter of state concern. “They used one of these to kill some children in a school in the United States last year,” says a young assistant, holding a wide-barreled submachine gun for a head. Indirectly, a statement of facts and precautions.
