Defence & Space

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

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | 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

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

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

Polish Ministry of National Defence: New Contract for K2 Tanks and Support Vehicles Imminent

In Warsaw, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, along with Secretary of State at the Ministry…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 10 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

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

A contractor has been selected for the repair of Mk 75 guns on Polish OHP frigates

The Gdynia Naval Port Command has published information on the outcome of the tender procedure for the repair of two…

2025-07-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

Axiom Mission 4: The Historic Spaceflight of Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

June 25, 2025, will go down in history as the day when the second Pole in our history flew into…

2025-06-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 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

Japanese Defense Budget For 2024

The Japanese Cabinet approved a defense budget of 7.95 trillion JPY ($54.9 billion) for fiscal year 2024, which represents an increase of 1.128 trillion JPY ($7.8 billion) as compared to previous year.

On Friday, December 22, 2023, the Japanese Cabinet approved a defense budget of 7.95 trillion JPY ($54.9 billion) for fiscal year 2024, which represents an increase of 1.128 trillion JPY ($7.8 billion) compared to 2023. The largest increase in Japanese defense spending in history is primarily attributed to the situation in East Asia, shaped by China-Taiwan relations and North Korean activity, as well as the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war. As a result, there is an expectation of the development of new military equipment and technologies and the acquisition of additional military hardware for the Self-Defense Forces.

Photo: Rikujō Jieitai

Since the new defense budget for 2024 increased in comparison to the previous year, expenditures for the production and purchase of new military equipment for the Self-Defense Forces were approved at a level of approximately 1.33 trillion JPY ($9.1 billion), which also results in an increase of equipment deliveries.

Photo: Japanese Ministry of Defense

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujō Jieitai):
  • 24.2 billion JPY ($167 million) for 24 Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV), and 8 Maneuver Mortar Combat Vehicles (MMCV) for 8 billion JPY ($55 million) under the CTWV (Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicles) program.

Japan is forming a rapid reaction brigade, primarily composed of Type 16 MCV (Maneuver Combat Vehicle) wheeled tank destroyers to defend its islands against invading forces, so vehicles based on the Mitsubishi 8×8 MAV platform were ordered as part of the CTWV program. As a result, new wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and reconnaissance vehicles equipped with 30mm automatic cannons Mk.44, as well as self-propelled mortars equipped with French 120mm 2R2M mortars, have been tested since 2022.

  • 16.6 billion JPY ($114.6 million) for the purchase of 10 Type 10 tanks;
  • 17.1 billion JPY ($118 million) for the purchase of 19 Type 16 MCV wheeled tank destroyers;
  • 14.9 billion JPY ($102.9 million) for the purchase of 16 Type 19 155mm self-propelled howitzers;
  • 20 billion JPY ($138 million) for the purchase of 28 next-generation armored personnel carriers AMV XP (eXtra Payload, eXtra Performance, eXtra Protection) under the WAPC (Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier) program.
  • 4.3 billion JPY ($29.7 million) for 9,927 Howa Type 20 5.56mm assault rifles;
  • 18.9 billion JPY ($130.5 million) for bulletproof vests.

Image: Japanese Ministry of Defense

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijō Jieitai):
  • 174 billion JPY ($1.2 billion) for the construction of two next-generation multi-purpose FFM frigates.

Initially, Japan planned to build 22 Mogami-class multi-purpose frigates of the 30FFM type, but later that number was reduced to 12. The Ministry of Defense decided to construct 12 vessels as part of the new FFM program, with the work being carried out by Japan Marine United (JMU) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Deliveries will commence in 2028.

  • 95 billion JPY ($655.8 million) for the construction of the eighth Taigei-class submarine (with a displacement of 3000 tons);
  • 83 billion JPY ($572 million) for the construction of a new type of supply ship;
  • 26.3 billion JPY ($181.5 million) for the construction of the sixth Awaji-class minesweeper (690 tons);
  • 103.6 billion JPY ($715.1 million) for the purchase of three Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft;
  • 66.5 billion JPY ($459 million) for the purchase of six Mitsubishi SH-60L Seahawk maritime helicopters.

Photo: Kōkū Jieitai

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Kōkū Jieitai):
  • 112 billion JPY ($773.1 million) for the purchase of 8 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multi-role aircraft;
  • 128.2 billion JPY ($885 million) for the purchase of 7 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft;
  • 13.3 billion JPY ($91.8 million) for the modernization of Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Kai air superiority aircraft;
  • 13.1 billion JPY ($90.4 million) for the modernization of 8 Mitsubishi F-2 multi-role aircraft.

Image: Japanese Ministry Of Defense

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has also estimated a budget for the development and purchase of new missiles at 734 billion JPY ($5 billion), in accordance with the new guidelines for securing capabilities in this area. The defense ministry’s plan involves acquiring a sufficient number of missiles by ensuring rapid funding from the budget to secure development work and production capabilities after the prior acquisition of American Tomahawk cruise missiles or others.

  • 17.6 billion JPY ($121.5 million) for the development of a new anti-ship missile based on the Type 12 missile design and 48 billion JPY ($331.3 million) for the expansion of production facilities;
  • 12.7 billion JPY ($87.7 million) for the development of Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) and 84 billion JPY ($579.9 million) for the development of advanced missiles;
  • 72.5 billion JPY ($500.5 million) for the development of Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM);
  • 35.2 billion JPY ($243 million) for the purchase of Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles (JSM);
  • 5.1 billion JPY ($35.2 million) for the purchase of AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER);
  • 29.4 billion JPY ($203 million) for the integration of 29 F-35A aircraft with JSM missiles;
  • 13.3 billion JPY ($91.8 million) for the integration of F-15J aircraft with JASSM-ER missiles;
  • 13.1 billion JPY ($90.4 million) for the integration of 8 F-2 aircraft with Type 12-based anti-ship missiles.

Additionally, budgetary funds in the amount of 1.2477 trillion JPY ($8.6 billion) will be allocated for integrated missile defense, with 392 billion JPY ($2.7 billion) earmarked for the construction of two ships equipped with the Aegis Combat System.

As a key component of Japan’s ballistic missile defense plan, the vessels in the ASEV (Aegis system equipped vessels) program will be equipped with the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar, Aegis Combat System, Tomahawk missile system, and the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15J anti-submarine warfare system. These systems are designed to support the development of Japan’s new missile defense system and enhance long-range defense capabilities.

They will be armed with 128 universal canister Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) carrying SM-2 and SM-3 surface-to-air missiles, Type 07 anti-submarine rocket, and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Additionally, it will be equipped with anti-ship missiles based on the Type 12 system once it developed.

Image: Japanese Ministry of Defense

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