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

Lithuania is purchasing additional MSHORAD and NASAMS air defense systems

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has ordered additional air defense systems: Saab MSHORAD from Sweden and Kongsberg NASAMS from Norway.

MSHORAD

On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Swedish company Saab Defence and Security announced that on October 1, it received a second order from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense for the delivery of the Mobile Short Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) system.

Photo: Saab Defence and Security

The value of the order is 1.2 billion SEK (ca. 105.6 million EUR), and the deliveries are scheduled for 2026–2029. Saab Dynamics, a subsidiary of Saab, will be responsible for the deliveries.

The first contract on this matter was signed on July 9, 2024, with a value of 1.3 billion SEK (147 million EUR), and the deliveries are set to take place between 2025 and 2027.

Thanks to this additional order, the second battery of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will be equipped with Saab’s mobile air defense capabilities.

We are proud to continue supporting the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ short-range air defence capability. MSHORAD is a highly mobile solution which enables the user to quickly and effectively identify and counteract air threats,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

The acquisition of the Mobile Short-Range Air Defense System (MSHORAD) will enhance the Lithuanian military’s capability to counter potential enemy air attacks. The advantage of this system is its mobility, making it a highly necessary system for Lithuania,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

As before, the order includes mobile fire units, mobile Giraffe 1X 3D radar units, a command and control (C2) system, a training package, and simulators for the RBS 70 NG (New Generation) short-range air defense missile system. Saab will integrate the MSHORAD with the chassis of the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle)/L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle), produced by the American company Oshkosh Defense, before delivering them to the client. Lithuania’s Land Forces (Lietuvos sausumos pajėgos) already have such vehicles: as of August 22 of this year, more than 385 of the 500 ordered units have arrived in the country.

The recent order was placed under a framework agreement between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) at the Ministry of Defense, and the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, which allows Vilnius to place orders for the RBS 70 NG (New Generation) mobile short-range air defense missile solution.

Saab currently offers the RBS 70 NG system with second-generation Bolide missiles, which have a range of up to 8,000 meters and an engagement altitude of up to 5,000 meters. These missiles are effective against armored targets, such as aircraft, attack helicopters, and even ground targets.

MSHORAD is Saab’s mobile air defense solution. The system consists of a mobile radar unit based on the Giraffe 1X 3D radar, a mobile fire unit based on the RBS 70 NG, all integrated with the GBAD C2 command and control system.

The Giraffe 1X 3D radar features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna using gallium nitride (GaN) technology. The triangular antenna is 0.5 meters tall and 1.0 meter wide, with a weight of 100 kg (60 kg for the antenna itself, with the rest comprising an identification friend-or-foe system and a rotating device). Together with other system components (the processing unit, power unit, and operator laptop), the total weight of the set is less than 300 kg. Most electronic components are housed internally, and the system is air-cooled. Thanks to improved Enhanced Low, Slow, and Small (ELSS) capabilities, it can more effectively identify small targets at long distances. The electronically shaped and controlled antenna beam allows for very fast scanning of the elevation from 0 to 70°.

Saab MSHORAD was unveiled by the manufacturer on March 30, 2022.

https://twitter.com/Saab/status/1842100082771959952

NASAMS

On the same day, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA) announced that the day before, Vilnius had ordered another mobile NASAMS II (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) air defense system for the equivalent of 193 million EUR.

Photo: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

As part of the contract, some of the NASAMS II battery equipment will also be upgraded, increasing the contract’s value to 234 million EUR. Lithuania purchased its first battery on October 26, 2017, for the equivalent of 109 million EUR. This purchase follows orders placed in December 2023 to increase the number of NASAMS II fire units. On December 27, 2018, Lithuania ordered additional inertially guided surface-to-air training missiles, and on October 23, 2023, Vilnius received approval to purchase 63 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles for these systems.

Acceptance trials of Lithuania’s first NASAMS II system began in Norway at the end of September 2019, and it was delivered to Lithuania’s Land Forces Air Defense Battalion (Oro gynybos batalionas, OGB; Lietuvos sausumos pajėgos) on June 19, 2020.

KONGSBERG sees increased demand from existing NASAMS users to upgrade and expand their NASAMS assets. The NASAMS system is an important defence capacity given the geopolitical situation in the world. The contract with Lithuania also strengthens the country’s partnership with NATO,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

On June 28, 2023, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced on social media that the government had purchased two NASAMS launchers, which were then delivered to Ukraine, currently at war. Norway, in turn, provided additional optional equipment for these launchers.

A NASAMS battery consists of six launchers, an AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel 3D radar station, a command and fire control vehicle with the Link 16 data transmission system, and a vehicle equipped with an electro-optical observation and targeting head. One battery, operating as part of an integrated air defense system, can simultaneously engage up to 36 airborne targets, such as aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.

https://twitter.com/kongsbergasa/status/1842105707287519386

Lithuania is modernizing its air defense

As stated in a separate press release from the Ministry of Defense, Lithuania takes its national defense very seriously, which is why it is strengthening and will continue to strengthen its air defense.

The acquisition of these modern medium- and short-range air defense systems also ensures the implementation of Lithuania’s airspace defense concept. Air defense is important both for us and for NATO as a whole, which is why we pay special attention to this area. In addition to the acquisition of NASAMS and other RBS70 NG (MSHORAD) systems, this year an additional 10 million euros have been allocated for the purchase of short-range mobile air defense systems, PIORUN, allowing us to replace the older GROM systems,” said Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

In 2024, Lithuania plans to allocate an additional 96 million EUR to accelerate the implementation of important defense projects for the Lithuanian army, specifically the purchase of medium- and short-range mobile air defense systems. These systems will be intended for the formation of air defense for a mechanized division. Without the allocation of additional funds, the purchase of these systems was previously planned no earlier than 2030.

In addition to the systems mentioned above, the Land Forces Air Defense Battalion also operates portable RBS 70 Mk2 and FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems.

After the outbreak of the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war, Lithuania has been investing in the air defense sector, among other areas. Notable investments include American Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 radars, Dutch Thales GM200 MM/C radars, and interest in the German Diehl Defence IRIS-T (Infra-Red Imaging System Tail) air defense system as a medium-range solution.

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