Defence & Space

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 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

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 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

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

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 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

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 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

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 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

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

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

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

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 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

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

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

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 and refueling aircraft has been repeatedly delayed and postponed over the years. Their acquisition will significantly enhance the security of Polish airspace.

For many decades, the Polish Air Force operated without fully utilizing its potential. While having F-16s — and in the future, F-35s — offers significant capabilities, owning modern combat aircraft is one thing; being able to fully and effectively use their potential is another.

Photos and Image: Airbus Defence and Space

While the Polish Air Force won’t be able to fully utilize the capabilities of the F-35 for quite some time, some of that potential can be unlocked — if the right steps are finally taken. Having the ability to strategically support our armed forces by air anywhere in Europe or around the world is within reach. And this is where a term still unfamiliar in Poland comes into play: MRTT – Multi Role Tanker Transport.

This is not a luxury gadget for the wealthy. It’s a tool that marks the difference between an army capable of operating at a distance and one that stays at home. France and the United Kingdom didn’t acquire MRTTs because they had money to spare, but because, without them, it’s no longer possible to conduct serious expeditionary operations — not to mention supporting air power in a conflict zone where you don’t have access to your own bases.

More Than A Flying Tanker

The MRTT is a strategic transport aircraft, an airborne hospital, an evacuation platform, and a diplomatic tool all in one. It can carry over 100 tons of fuel, transport more than 250 passengers or 45 tons of cargo. In a crisis situation — such as the evacuation of citizens or the wounded — it offers a real capability for rapid action from the other side of Europe, without needing permission from other countries to use their aircraft.

In 2023, when the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted, Poland had to improvise the evacuation of its citizens from Tel Aviv. Ultimately, C-130 and C295M aircraft were used, and passengers were moved in stages, with stopovers and transfers. It was safe, but far from efficient. Had we had even a single MRTT aircraft at our disposal, the evacuation could have been carried out in a single flight — with more passengers, faster, and with better onboard medical support.

What the MRTT Brings to Polish Military Aviation?

First – the real ability for our F-16s and future F-35s to operate beyond national borders. Modern warfare is not just about defense, but also about power projection and allied solidarity. In the event of a conflict, for example over the Baltic states, Polish aircraft could operate farther and longer — but only if they have access to aerial refueling.

Second – the ability to maintain long-duration combat air patrols even over our own territory. At a time when Russia is attacking Ukraine with missiles and drones almost daily, a realistic scenario involves the constant presence of Polish fighters in the air — both to protect Warsaw and critical infrastructure. Without aerial refueling, the duration of such patrols is limited. With the MRTT, patrols can be significantly extended without the need to rotate aircraft or risk returning to base at critical moments.

Third – the ability to train full mission profiles using the aircraft’s complete capabilities. Without our own tanker, Polish F-16 pilots face limitations: with a full weapons load, they can’t take on maximum fuel; with maximum fuel, they can’t carry full armament. Today, we have to rely on our allies for aerial refueling, which limits our training autonomy.

Fourth – strategic airlift capability. Our C-130s are aging, and the C295M is more of a tactical platform than an intercontinental one. The MRTT could provide rapid transport of troops, equipment, and medical supplies — for example, in the event of an urgent medevac from an overseas mission or the evacuation of a field hospital.

Poland’s Own MRTT or Shared with NATO?

Poland was among the initiators of NATO’s joint tanker fleet under the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) program and showed interest until November 2014. However, it ultimately did not join due to an unsatisfactory offset offer from Airbus Defence and Space. Instead, on February 15, 2017, a national program codenamed Karkonosze was launched.

Meanwhile, under the MMF framework, six European countries — Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, and Norway — are jointly purchasing and operating the A330 MRTT.

Having a national MRTT means independence — both operational and political. We can use it when we want, where we want, and for whatever purpose we choose — without having to coordinate flight hours, aircraft availability, or mission priorities with partners. This is essential if we take seriously the development of expeditionary forces, readiness to evacuate Polish citizens abroad, and — above all — the ability to carry out air operations within NATO. We cannot rely solely on the goodwill of our allies.

Possessing an MRTT is also a signal. To our allies — that we’re a serious player, not just a consumer of security but a contributor to it. To our citizens — that the state is prepared for crisis situations when they may need evacuation from dangerous parts of the world. And to our adversaries — that Poland can act faster, farther, and more effectively than they might expect.

Can we afford it? From the perspective of the defense budget — absolutely. Especially when comparing the cost of a single MRTT to that of one F-35. If we are serious about building real operational capabilities, the answer is clear: Poland cannot afford not to have these aircraft.

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