Defence & Space

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

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 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

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

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

Lithuania Wants to Co-Produce Leopard 2A8 Tanks

Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced that the ministry is negotiating with the German defense industry over the possibility of…

2025-06-12 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 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

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

Lithuania Wants to Co-Produce Leopard 2A8 Tanks

Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced that the ministry is negotiating with the German defense industry over the possibility of…

2025-06-12 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Poland: Buffer zone on the border with Belarus extended for another 90 days

The Minister of the Interior and Administration has signed a regulation introducing a temporary ban on presence in a designated area within the…

2025-06-11 | Redakcja | 4 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

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Pratt & Whitney Rzeszów to service Polish W-3 Sokół helicopters

The 3rd Regional Logistics Base has signed a contract with Pratt & Whitney Rzeszów for the overhaul of gearboxes and the…

2025-06-12 | 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

Ukraine has destroyed a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile system

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the destruction of one and damage to two additional 9K720 Iskander-M…

2025-06-05 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 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
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

Merkava Mark 5 Barak revealed

The Israel’s Ministry Of Defense presented for the first time the prime examples of the newest Merkava Mk5 Barak tank, which entered service in the 52nd battalion of the 401st Ikwot HaBarzel (Iron Tracks) Brigade of the Armored Corps.

On Wednesday, September 20, the Israel’s Ministry Of Defense presented for the first time on social media the first examples of the newest Merkava Mk5 Barak tank, which were assigned to the 52nd battalion of the 401st Ikwot HaBarzel Brigade of the Armored Corps of the Israeli Ground Forces (Zro’a ha-Jabasha). The vehicles were to undergo acceptance tests on January 13 this year, which were carried out in the Negev Desert.

After more than five years of research and development work and small-series production supervised by the Israeli Merkava And Armored Vehicles Directorate (MANTAK) underneath the Ministry of Defense of Israel, the latest development version of the Merkava tank, which received its own name Barak (Lightning) is premiering.

Some of the capabilities of the new tank that has recently been introduced into service with the Israel Defense Forces include detecting and processing information based on machine learning (artificial intelligence), the ability to detect the enemy and create a map of targets for subunits on the battlefield, ability to fight with closed hatches thanks to the peripheral observation covering full range of 360 degrees linked to the commander’s helmet-mounted targeting system, intelligent multi-touch monitors, advanced controllers, adaptation to the changing situation on the battlefield, and increased crew survivability.

Israeli Defense Minister Yo’aw Galant stated:

It is very telling that in the period in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and the heroic battles fought during that war by soldiers of the Armored Corps in defense of our country – we have received another proof of the usefulness and power of the tank as an indispensable tool. The Barak tank is very innovative – it takes our maneuverability to another level and is a clear expression of our technological capabilities. I would like to express my appreciation to the engineers at MANTAK, the Israeli Land Forces and all those professionally involved in this process.

The Merkava Mk5 Barak was developed by MANTAK in cooperation with the Armaments Department of the Israel Ground Forces and Armored Corps. The tank uses elements produced by Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, ELTA Systems (subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries), and other defense industry branches, from Qiryat Shemona to Mitzpe Ramon. The first mass-produced Barak tanks were delivered this month to the 52nd battalion of the 401st Armored Corps Brigade and will become the main tanks of the Armored Corps.

The tank commander was equipped with the Elbit Systems Iron Vision helmet-mounted targeting system connected to a set of omnidirectional cameras and sensors. The system operates in STA (See Through Armor) augmented reality technology, increasing the crew’s situational awareness. Iron Vision is the ground forces-dedicated equivalent of the AN/AAQ-37 DAS (Distributed Aperture System) system, which transfers the image of the tactical situation around the F-35 Lightning II aircraft to the HMDS Gen III (Helmet Mounted Display System) display. The system enables 360-degree observation by moving the head and locating targets in real time using artificial intelligence capabilities.

It is integrated with an improved fire control system with advanced observation and night operation capabilities. These enhancements will allow the tank crew to fight with closed hatches, offering better protection for the vehicle, thanks in part to the advanced Trophy HV hard-kill active protection system (APS) with WindGuard radars from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which is designed to combat anti-tank guided missiles. The tank’s offensive capabilities have also been significantly modernized.

The Barak tank will increase the capabilities needed to detect the enemy and enable asymmetric combat in all the anticipated situations on the current and future battlefields, against a variety of threats facing ground forces. The Barak received new targeting sights for commanders and gunners, as well as the ability to continuously collect, update, integrate, and share reconnaissance data. With these tanks, the armored battalions will be able to fight continuously at a fast pace, detecting the enemy while conducting fire independently, on a limited scale or in sectors, which will increase the effectiveness of the platoon and company.

The Barak tanks will have the ability to quickly obtain operational information and transmit it to other strike assets, as well to share reconnaissance information in real time between subunits. With this in mind, the Barak tank has been equipped with a wide and reliable sensor infrastructure that will allow its crew to have a better picture of the tactical situation in the field, aim at enemy targets present, and shorten the time necessary to make precise decisions.

Barak tanks will be connected to each other via the advanced capabilities of E-LynX SDR (Software-Defined Radio) programmable radios from Elbit Systems. The crews will have at their disposal touch screens resembling smartphones and unique applications with an intuitive interface that will ensure accessibility and ease of handling.

The Renovation and Support Center underneath the Technology and Logistics Directorate is entrusted with the production of Barak tanks.

Director General in the Israeli Ministry Of Defense, major general (retired) Eyal Zamir said:

For the past four decades, Merkava tanks have been the backbone of the Armored Corps and ground combat. Today we are entering a new era on the battlefield, the Baraka era. The Barak tank is the most advanced combat vehicle of its type in the world and will provide Tzahal, the Israeli Ground Forces and Armored Corps soldiers with the firepower, artificial intelligence, reconnaissance, inter-asset communications and active defense capabilities to prevail on the modern battlefield. I congratulate MANTAK engineers, experts from the Armored Corps, Israeli Ground Forces and defense industry, who have made a technological leap together. On this occasion, we should mention General ‘Talik’, Yisra’el Tal, who started the development and construction of the Israeli Merkava Project and deputy chief of the General Staff during the Yom Kippur War, thanks to his vision, today we have the honor to inaugurate the fifth generation of Merkava model tanks.

Commander of Israeli Ground Forces, major general Tamir Yadai:

The Merkava Barak tank is a source of pride and an expression of the strength of Tzahal, the Ministry of Defense, MANTAK and the defense industry in Israel. The Barak tank utilizes groundbreaking technologies that provide Armored Corps soldiers with unique protection and attack capabilities that greatly improve maneuverability. The introduction of the Barak tanks, along with the Eitan and Namer armored vehicles, is part of the process of equipping itself with the best and most adaptable tools that will allow Israeli ground forces to operate at high speed and significantly reduce the casualty rate.

MANTAK commanding general, Oren Giber:

In developing the Barak, Israel set a very high standard of technological excellence. This tank is a unique weapon platform based on a high-quality system of sensors, artificial intelligence engines, and a customized and intuitive operational interface. The Barak tank was designed around the concept of flexibility, with the goal of providing Tzahal soldiers with a weapons system that would allow them to prevail in any combat situation. I am proud of the genius of development and the strength of the commitment of the staff of MANTAK, the Department of Armament of the Ground Forces and the Israeli defense industry, which has no equal in the world, and I wish to bless the soldiers of the Armored Corps to succeed, because for us, the developers of armored fighting vehicles, it is clear that today, as in the past, the man in the tank will win.

Commander of Armored Corpse, brigadier general Hisham Ibrahim:

A few days before the new year, on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, the Armored Corps is equipping itself with the Barak tank, which is the pride of Israeli industry, a tank that is an Israeli design. In my opinion, what is much more exciting is that in a year in which we celebrate the heroism of the generation of soldiers of the 1973 Armored Corps, who stopped the attacks of Arab armies with their bodies, demonstrated courage and a fighting spirit worthy of praise, this is a historical event. The Barak tank is based on groundbreaking technologies. Combining these technologies with the quality of our people, the soldiers of the Armored Corps, will result in a huge advantage on land and in defeating our enemy. I am proud of the privilege of leading the Corps at such a historic moment.

Colonel Beni Aharon, commander of the 401st Brigade of the Armored Corps:

Last year, the 401st Armored Brigade was involved in the implementation and assimilation of the Barak tank into the brigade. The brigade focused on understanding the tank’s combat capabilities and its use in combat, in training crew members and commanders, and in the tank’s cooperation with other advanced anti-tank weapons, such as the Namer. It is a huge opportunity to improve operational efficiency in preparation for the next campaign and significantly increase forces for Tzahal, Israeli ground forces and the Armored Corps. The 401st Armored Brigade sees the Barak tank as a historic event and the nation’s mission to win the war of the next generation. We had the honor of being the first Armored Corps Brigade to receive the Barak tank and therefore a great responsibility rests on our shoulders – our mission is to fulfill it with distinction.

The 401st Brigade, The Iron Tracks, as it is nicknamed, is part of the 162nd Armored Division, which in turn reports to the Tzahal Southern Command. Since 2004, the brigade has been armed with Merkava Mk4 tanks, grouped in three battalions: 9th, 46th and 52nd. Vehicles from this brigade took part in past military operations and, based on their combat experience, the Merkava Mk5 Barak tank was created. It is a direct modernization of the Merkava Mk4M Meil Ru’ach model (and the Meil Ru’ach 400 derivative).

Photos: Israel’s Ministry Of Defense

The exact parameters of the newest Israeli tank are not known, but it is estimated that its combat weight is approximately 70 tons, which is due to, among others, the use of APS Trophy HV. A 120-mm smoothbore gun was to be retained as a main armament (in the Merkava Mk4 it is the IMI MG251-LR cannon), despite reports of work on a 140-mm tank gun.

It was also planned to use a hybrid combustion-electric drive system, a voice crew interface that was undergoing tests, and finally a new on-board computer with artificial intelligence support. Currently, the Merkava Mk4 tanks are powered by the MTU MT883 Ka-500/501 V12 diesel engine with a power of 1,500 HP coupled to the Renk HSWL 295TM hydromechanical automatic transmission with 5 forward and 5 reverse gears (EuroPowerPack system), which provides a maximum speed of up to 64 km/h in the field with a maximum driving range of up to 500 km.

Zro’a ha-Jabasha has 330 Merkava Mk4 tanks (220 in storage), 160 Merkava Mk3 (570 in storage) and 370 Merkava Mk2 tanks in storage. According to recent press reports, Cyprus would be interested in purchasing used Merkava Mk3 tanks – allegedly one battalion of 52 tanks, while Morocco would be interested in purchasing older Merkava Mk2 tanks.

https://twitter.com/ElbitSystemsLtd/status/1704137073920270552

https://twitter.com/ElbitSystemsLtd/status/1704137079125410035

https://twitter.com/RAFAELdefense/status/1704158601483317503

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