On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the tactical training area, Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda observed the Czarny Obrońca-26 military exercise.
Photos: Ministry Of National Defence
„This day is one of many, because the Czarny Obrońca exercise is taking place from September 14 to 24. It is the largest defensive exercise in the second half of this year. It is also an element of cooperation between our armed forces, including with the French military. Eleven thousand soldiers and 880 pieces of various types of equipment from the Land Forces, Air Force, and Navy are taking part,” Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda said during a meeting with soldiers.
„Thanks to a decision by the Minister of National Defence, it is possible to test equipment during exercises like this. The Polish Armed Forces may eventually be interested in purchasing some of this equipment. That is, of course, a matter for the future, but we are creating conditions to test weapons before they enter service. (…) We are also testing the ‘Model 44’ and evaluating a new branch of the armed forces – unmanned forces – which will, in a way, be assigned across all branches of the military. (…) This exercise also involves cooperation with local governments. (…) On a fairly broad scale, it covers the Lubuskie, Pomorskie, and Zachodniopomorskie voivodeships. It also demonstrates elements of deterrence and our readiness,” the deputy minister said.
Czarny Obrońca-26 is a federation of more than a dozen exercises conducted simultaneously across different domains. The training includes operations on land, in the air, and at sea, with the main objective of verifying the Polish Armed Forces’ ability to conduct defensive operations and ensure cooperation between different branches of the military. The exercise is also testing command-and-control procedures, the movement of units and equipment, and logistics support in practice. Cooperation between the military, public administration, and services responsible for crisis management is also being assessed.
The activities conducted formed the practical implementation of tactical scenarios completed during the first stage of the exercise federation. Leopard 2 tanks, Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carriers, artillery systems, F-16 Jastrząb multirole fighters, and AH-64D Apache attack helicopters carried out live-fire and fire-control activities. Prototype products from the defense industry, new technologies, and solutions based on elements of artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital communications were also tested.
A total of 11,000 soldiers and 880 pieces of equipment are participating in the Czarny Obrońca-26 exercise federation, including personnel from the Land Forces, Air Force, and Navy. The primary training formation is the 11th Armored Cavalry Division. Personnel from the French Armed Forces are also taking part, including a reconnaissance platoon and crews of Rafale aircraft and E-3A AWACS aircraft.
The exercise federation began on September 14 and will continue through September 24. Czarny Obrońca-26 covers the Lubuskie, Pomorskie, and Zachodniopomorskie voivodeships, the Baltic Sea, and the airspace over the entire country.
„Czarny Obrońca” – sprawdzian siły ognia i test technologii
–
We wtorek, na pasie ćwiczeń taktycznych (PCT), wiceminister obrony narodowej @pawelbejda obserwował ćwiczenia wojskowe pod kryptonimem „Czarny Obrońca – 26”.
–
Więcej: https://t.co/6cnldqIzBI pic.twitter.com/cPeZ5xlDnL— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) September 22, 2026
See also:
