Defence & Space

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.4 Billion PLN for the Polish Armaments Group to Support 155 mm Ammunition Production

The Polish Armaments Group will receive over 2.4 billion PLN in funding from the Capital Investment Fund, which is administered…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 6 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

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

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

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

M-346 Bielik disaster

During a training flight before the Navy Aviation Brigade Day, a Polish advanced training aircraft, the Leonardo M-346 Bielik, crashed.

On Friday, July 12, 2024, at 1:11 PM, a Polish advanced training aircraft, the Leonardo M-346 Bielik, crashed. According to the Armed Forces General Command (DG RSZ) on social media: “Today at the Gdynia airport, during a training flight, the M-346 Bielik struck the runway. A rescue operation is underway.

As the editorial team of Military Magazine MILMAG learned, during a training flight before the Navy Aviation Brigade Day (July 13), the aircraft was performing a loop and then failed to pull out of a dive, crashing into the runway at Gdynia’s Babie Doły-Kosakowo airport.

Illustrative Photo: Michał Adamowski, MILMAG

Update

Press release from the Navy Aviation Brigade:

Today, at the 43rd Naval Air Base in Gdynia Babie Doły, during a training flight for the 30th Anniversary of the Gdynia Navy Aviation Brigade, an M-346 aircraft crashed. A rescue operation is underway. All events related to tomorrow’s celebrations are canceled.

The aircraft belonged to the M-346 Demo Team, which included pilots Major Adrian “Chudy” Chudziński and Major Robert “Killer” Jeł.

At 3:50 PM, a press briefing was held at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask with Air Force Inspector, General Ireneusz Nowak.

The general reported that Major Robert Jeł died on the spot. He did not attempt to eject. He left behind a wife and daughter. The pilot was one of the two most experienced on this type of aircraft, with over 2,000 flight hours total, including 1,100 hours on this type. The Bielik fleet has been grounded.

It was the aircraft with the tactical number 7714. This particular unit was the 13th in line and had its maiden flight on April 29, 2022.

The Armed Forces General Command:

He has gone to keep the ‘Eternal Watch’… With deep sorrow, we inform you that today, during a training flight with the M-346 Bielik at the 43rd Naval Air Base in Gdynia Babie Doły, Major Robert ‘Killer’ Jeł tragically died. We join in mourning and sorrow, and extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz:

During a training flight at the Gdynia airport, Major Robert Jeł tragically died. He was a wonderful soldier, husband, and father. A man who gave all to his Homeland… I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.

General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces:

With great sorrow, we inform you that today, during a training flight at the 43rd Naval Air Base in Gdynia-Babie Doły, there was an aviation accident in which Major Robert “Killer” Jeł lost his life. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. #PolishArmy has lost an outstanding pilot. This is a tremendous loss for all of us. Honor to his memory.

President Andrzej Duda:

With deep sorrow, I received the news of the M-346 Bielik aircraft crash, in which a pilot of the Polish Air Force tragically died. This is a painful loss for the entire Polish Armed Forces. I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones. I bow my head in gratitude for his dedication to serving our Homeland and ensuring our safety. Honor to his memory!

The Presidential Palace, including the National Security Bureau, will keep a close watch on this matter. I am reassured because I know that the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces will also ensure that Major Jeł’s family is taken care of.

I offer my sincerest condolences to his loved ones, including his comrades in arms. A commission will investigate the circumstances of this incident. We have lost our soldier, an experienced pilot. This is always a significant loss for the Polish state as well.

Statement by the Leonardo company:

Leonardo has been reached by the sad news reporting that today an M-346 “Bielik” aircraft of Polish Air Force crashed in Poland, in the area of Gdynia-Babie Doly Airport (QYD/EPOK). The Polish Military Authorities confirmed the loss of the pilot. Leonardo expresses its most heartfelt condolences to the Family of the pilot and to the Polish Air Force. Leonardo stands ready to provide any necessary support to the relevant authorities, should an assistance be requested in the ongoing investigation activities.

 

The editorial team of Military Magazine MILMAG extends its sincerest condolences to the Family and Friends of the Deceased.

Late Major Robert Killer Jeł / Photo: Mateusz Chodelski, 4th Training Aviation Wing

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In February 2014, the Polish Air Force selected the M-346 Master as the successor to the legendary TS-11 Iskra training aircraft, as the main component of the Integrated Advanced Training System (Advanced Jet Trainer).

The first eight M-346 aircraft were delivered to the 41st Training Aviation Base in 2017. The following year, a contract was signed for the delivery of four additional aircraft, increasing our M-346 fleet to twelve units. The last four were delivered in December 2022, bringing the M-346 fleet to 16 aircraft, constituting a full squadron. In November 2018, the aircraft were named Bielik (Polish name of white-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla), and since 2019 they have been the cornerstone of advanced training for military pilots, replacing the TS-11 Iskra aircraft, which were retired on December 9, 2020.

On December 6, 2023, the General Command of the Armed Forces reported that the canopy of one of the M-346 Bielik aircraft had detached, but it managed to land safely. The entire fleet was temporarily grounded at that time.

On June 24 of this year, the Bielik fleet surpassed 10,000 flight hours.

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