Defence & Space

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

Poland: GROTowisko-25 Conference Begins Next Week

On the weekend of June 14–15, 2025, the next edition of GROTowisko will take place. Once again, the military complex…

2025-06-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Russia: MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon Cancelled Again

The CEO of the Russian state corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, announced that the 16th MAKS-2025 International Aviation and Space Salon,…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes
Shooting

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

Crisis on the Border with Belarus: Equipment and Legal Issues

The migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border has been ongoing for four years. During this time, two different governments have been in power, and neither has been able to fully resolve the issue. This is due to legislative chaos, convoluted procedures, and a lack of understanding of the needs of the services.

On Tuesday, May 28, in Dubicze Cerkiewne, a migrant attempting to illegally cross the border injured a Polish soldier. The soldier, using a protective shield, prevented the group of migrants from forcibly and illegally crossing the border. However, during the intervention, one of the attackers stabbed him in the chest area with an improvised spear. He is currently in critical condition and fighting for his life. At the same time, two Border Guard officers were also injured.

Photo: senior corporal Wojciech Król/CO MON

We can expect increased pressure on the Polish border because thousands of people are being gathered in Russia specifically to be transferred to the Polish-Belarusian border. We have no doubt that this action is purely aggressive. It is an instrumental use of people, often poor and paying for this. The aggression is growing. It started with throwing stones and tree branches, and now we are witnessing an escalation, said Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of the Interior and Administration.

In just the days of May 27-28, the Border Guard recorded over 400 attempts to illegally cross the border. Throughout this time, migrants continuously threw stones at the patrols.

https://twitter.com/Straz_Graniczna/status/1795391884833271932

Lack of adequate equipment

Since the beginning of the conflict, none of the decision-makers in the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Polish Army, the General Command of the Armed Forces, or the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate have recognized that the equipment used by soldiers at the border is completely inadequate for their needs. Just as soldiers froze during the first winter without proper warm uniforms, they still lack appropriate protective gear.

The military is now effectively performing police duties, similar to the tasks of the Military Police units during missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or the Central African Republic. Unfortunately, they are not always trained for these tasks, nor do they have the equipment typically required for such operations.

The soldier was stabbed in the chest because he did not have a soft ballistic vest with an enlarged surface area, which protects against sharp objects. Soldiers and officers also do not have protective visors to shield their faces from flying stones, branches, and bottles.

The vehicles used by the patrols also do not provide adequate protection. Soldiers and officers move around in Honkers and Defenders. This is particularly strange given that the Military Police have appropriate vehicles – SILO Szop – which provide adequate protection during patrol tasks in less than friendly environments.

Photo: Territorial Defense Force Command

Legal absurdities

It is still unclear on what legal basis the Armed Forces soldiers are guarding the border. The then Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, issued decision no. 39/MON on March 14, 2020, directing a military component to support the Border Guard. The next day, President Andrzej Duda confirmed Błaszczak’s decision, but no further thoughtful actions followed. The military was simply sent to the border, and that was it.

Legally, everything was in order until June, when Minister Błaszczak invalidated the previous decision and issued a new one, but this new decision was not countersigned by the President. Since then, soldiers have been at the border, but not as support for the Border Guard. On what legal basis is the military operating? It is unknown.

Additionally, soldiers do not have the right to use weapons even in cases of direct life-threatening situations. They are not a military law enforcement body, and as such, the use of firearms or direct coercion measures for defense could lead to prosecution and charges of exceeding their authority or limits of necessary defense. Such cases have already occurred at the Polish-Belarusian border, involving warning shots fired in Dubicze.

What’s next?

Politicians are currently only declaring their intention to take further action. Minister Siemoniak said, “On our part, there is a willingness to fully engage in solving specific legal, financial, and logistical problems so that the Polish border is safe.” He added that joint training sessions for the military, police, and Border Guard will finally take place.

Solutions at the Council of Ministers level have already been announced. The question is whether these solutions will actually help the soldiers in their service. Will they receive the appropriate equipment?

Legal solutions will have to wait for the next parliamentary sessions. Patching up legal gaps will likely take much longer, but without them, soldiers will still not be able to effectively protect the Polish border.

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