Defence & Space

Patent for New Ukrainian Howitzer Bohdana 6.0 Registered

The Kramatorsk Heavy Machinery Building Plant has received a patent for the development of a new 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designated…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

LYOFOOD Pierogi Become First Polish Dish Eaten in Space

Yesterday, during a live broadcast from the International Space Station, our astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, together with Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Polish 35 mm SA-35 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun with PIT-Radwar

During the recent MSPO trade fair in Kielce, the company PIT-Radwar presented its proposal for a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun…

2025-06-13 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 13 minutes

Patent for New Ukrainian Howitzer Bohdana 6.0 Registered

The Kramatorsk Heavy Machinery Building Plant has received a patent for the development of a new 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designated…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

SKW Cryptographic Security Certificate for Polish Comp@n Radio Set from the WB Group

The WB Group announced that the Comp@n system radio set, developed by its subsidiary Radmor, along with the Cryptographic Document Management…

2025-06-14 | Redakcja | 4 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

Autonomous and Unmanned Systems by Łukasiewicz – PIAP at the OPEX 2025 Training Ground in Italy

During the HEDI OPEX 2025 experimental campaign at the CEPOLISPE training ground in Italy, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial…

2025-06-28 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Debut of Foudre – the French HIMARS

As previously announced by Turgis & Gaillard, the 55th International Paris Air and Space Show served as the venue for the…

2025-06-23 | Radosław Niesobski | 2 minutes

Patent for New Ukrainian Howitzer Bohdana 6.0 Registered

The Kramatorsk Heavy Machinery Building Plant has received a patent for the development of a new 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designated…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

The Polish Armaments Agency has concluded the tender for coastal surveillance radars

The Polish Armaments Agency has concluded the tender for the delivery of up to 18 sets of coastal 3D radars for…

2025-07-05 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

Bayraktar TB2 and FlyEye Drones to Support Polish Police Manhunt for Killer Near Limanowa

The Bayraktar TB2 drone and FlyEye systems will support the Polish police in the search for 57-year-old Tadeusz Duda, suspected…

2025-06-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is formally opened by the Ambassador of Canada tothe Republic of Poland

Canadian company Galvion announced that the Canadian Ambassador to Poland, Catherine Godin, officially opened the European Production Hub in Gdańsk.

2025-06-26 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

The Polish Armaments Agency has concluded the tender for coastal surveillance radars

The Polish Armaments Agency has concluded the tender for the delivery of up to 18 sets of coastal 3D radars for…

2025-07-05 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

Rheinmetall wins major order for artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition wins major 155mm ammunition contract. Order worth several hundred million euros, deliveries from 2025 until 2027. It…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

East Shield and the Baltic Defense Line: Cooperation and Investment in Defense Are the Cornerstone of Europe’s Security

East Shield, the Baltic Defense Line, the integration of available deterrence and defense capabilities, and EU defense funding were the…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Russia Loses World’s Largest Helicopter, Mi-26, in Ukrainian Attack on Crimea

The Security Service of Ukraine reported that during a special operation at the Kirovske military airfield in occupied Crimea, a Pantsir-S1 air…

2025-06-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

LYOFOOD Pierogi Become First Polish Dish Eaten in Space

Yesterday, during a live broadcast from the International Space Station, our astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, together with Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Finland Ministry of Defense selects ICEYE for space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Finnish Ministry of Defense have signed a Letter of Intent that enables the Finnish Defense…

2025-06-27 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Upgraded Z8i Scope from SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Swarovski Optik, the Austrian optics manufacturer with nearly 80 years of tradition, has unveiled an upgraded version of its Z8i…

2025-07-03 | Mariusz Piwowar | 3 minutes

Upgraded Z8i Scope from SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Swarovski Optik, the Austrian optics manufacturer with nearly 80 years of tradition, has unveiled an upgraded version of its Z8i…

2025-07-03 | Mariusz Piwowar | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the SL-SideSaddle

Streamlight, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announces the SL-SideSaddle series, a new hands-free lighting solution built for outdoor adventure…

2025-07-01 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

IFRE 2025: Maskpol Showcases Protective Suits and Gas Masks

Maskpol, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented part of its product range—protective suits and gas masks—at the 5th…

2025-06-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

UF PRO Introduces Waist/Flex Belts to Its Product Line

UF PRO, a Slovenian manufacturer of professional apparel and part of the Mehler Systems group, is adding a new accessory to its lineup…

2025-06-06 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 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

CZ Introduces the New CZ P-10 C PORTED Model

CZ P-10 C PORTED – a compact pistol with tamed recoil thanks to an integrated compensator.

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Bayraktar TB3 Debuts

The 55th edition of the International Paris Air and Space Show, held in the French capital, provided an opportunity for…

2025-06-19 | Radosław Niesobski | 3 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

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

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 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

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

Illegal Migration to Europe in January 2025

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has published statistics on attempts to illegally cross the EU’s external borders in January of this year.

According to data published on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the number of attempts to illegally cross the European Union’s external borders in January 2025 exceeded 13,400, representing a 22% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year.

Photos and images: Frontex

Despite the overall decline, an increase in activity was recorded on the route in the central Mediterranean basin, although this increase reflects very low levels compared to the same period last year.

Key Events:

  • The Western African route accounted for nearly one-third of all illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders in January.
  • The highest increase in arrivals was recorded in the central Mediterranean basin: +43% year-on-year.
  • The largest decline was observed on the Western Balkans route: -66% compared to January 2024.
  • The most common nationalities of migrants: Afghan, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani (although the nationalities of many arrivals are still being verified).

Despite a 34% decrease compared to the previous year, the Western African route remained the most active migration route, with 4,741 arrivals in the first month of 2025. The largest share of illegal migrants came from Mali, Morocco, and Guinea.

In January, the route in the eastern Mediterranean basin was the second most active entry route to the European Union, with 3,491 cases. However, a 21% decrease in detected cases was recorded compared to the same month last year. The most frequently apprehended migrants were Afghans, Egyptians, and Pakistanis.

The largest increase in EU border violations, rising by +43% year-on-year to 3,275 people, was recorded on the route in the central Mediterranean basin, with most migrants coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Syria.

Sea crossings, usually organized by criminal networks, continue to pose a significant threat to migrants. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that 93 people lost their lives at sea in January. Throughout the entire previous year, this number reached 2,300, highlighting the tragic human cost of these dangerous routes.

On the English Channel route, the number of detected individuals attempting to cross the border to the United Kingdom dropped by more than one-fifth (-22%) compared to the previous year, reaching 2,515. The most frequently apprehended migrants were Syrians, Iranians, and Afghans.

On the Western Balkans route, 658 border crossing attempts were recorded, representing a significant decrease of -66%. The most common nationalities were Turkish, Egyptian, and Chinese.

On the route from the western Mediterranean basin, 843 crossing attempts were recorded, marking a +4% increase compared to the previous year. The most frequently apprehended migrants were Algerians, Moroccans, and Syrians.

On the eastern border of the EU (Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia with Belarus, and Poland with Ukraine), 412 border violations were recorded in January, representing a +4% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of those apprehended were citizens of Ukraine, Russia, and Romania.

The latest data reflect shifting migration trends compared to the previous year. As authorities work to address these evolving challenges, monitoring and cooperation remain crucial for managing Europe’s external borders.

Frontex has 2,700 officers and civilian personnel deployed across Europe to assist national authorities in managing the EU’s external borders.

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