On Tuesday, 14 October 2025, in Racibórz in the Silesian Voivodeship, representatives of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), RFK, and Jelcz signed a letter of intent on cooperation in the redevelopment and use of the production assets of the company Rafako.
Photos: PGZ
This initiative combines respect for the industrial heritage of the plant with a strong impulse for the economic revitalization of the Racibórz region. “Jelcz is saving Racibórz, and Racibórz is saving Jelcz – and this is the synergy that shows how modern economic patriotism works,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Opening the event, the head of government underlined the importance of local determination and the cooperation of many actors in launching Jelcz production in Racibórz.
“I would like to thank everyone who from the very beginning fought to make sure this place didn’t die, but that production and real business would return here. Thanks to the involvement of the local government, Jelcz’s management, the Industrial Development Agency, the Polish Armaments Group, and local managers, a great deal of good work has been done. In a place where boilers were still being produced not long ago, production is now starting on vehicles absolutely essential for the Polish Armed Forces – platforms for missiles and radars under the ‘Narew’ program. This is not a donation, but a well-thought-out business plan that will generate profit, strengthen our security and give jobs to more than 500 people. Jelcz is saving Racibórz, and Racibórz is saving Jelcz – and this is the synergy that shows how modern economic patriotism works,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The letter of intent covers the possibility of Jelcz (pronounced ‘yelch’) – a company within the Polish Armaments Group – taking over part of Rafako’s assets and establishing on their basis a modern industrial center specializing in the production of various types of military vehicles. These actions form part of a broader strategy aimed at rebuilding and expanding Poland’s manufacturing capabilities, including the defense industry, which is vital to the country’s security.
A new beginning for Racibórz’s industry
The letter of intent is an example of responsible and rational management of the assets of the bankrupt Rafako S.A. The goal is not only to modernise the existing infrastructure, but above all to give it a new, strategic function that will ensure long-term development prospects and jobs for the region.
“The Industrial Development Agency consistently invests in the future of Polish industry. The establishment of the RFK company and today’s signing of the letter are concrete steps to ensure that the Racibórz plants can once again play an important role. Instead of letting this place fall into gradual decay, we intend to bring it back to life – for the country’s security and the region’s development. Above all, however, we feel an obligation to the residents of Racibórz. Keeping activity alive here is our debt of gratitude and our responsibility to the local community. We care about modern industry that provides people with good, stable jobs and builds the strength of our economy,” said ARP president Bartłomiej Babuśka during the ceremony.
Guarantee for Racibórz’s assets and strengthening of defense potential
Statements from representatives of the strategic partners emphasise the industrial dimension of this initiative in the context of Poland’s security.
“To meet the growing modernisation needs of the Polish Armed Forces, we are expanding PGZ’s production capacity by using our own potential and that of our prospective partners. This is why we approached the Industrial Development Agency – so that we could take advantage of the potential we see in the Racibórz property. The site offers both land and production halls. Using them will allow us to increase the output of Jelcz-based vehicles more quickly, because we will save the time needed for investments in new infrastructure. The heart of Jelcz will remain in Jelcz-Laskowice, where a new plant will be built within the next 4–5 years. But we want to establish two additional locations much sooner, functioning as satellite branches supporting Jelcz – in Sanok and, indeed, in Racibórz. This is a long-term, business-justified investment that will allow us to respond better and faster to the army’s growing needs,” explained PGZ president Adam Leszkiewicz.
“All actions and initiatives that expand Jelcz’s production capacity are very welcome. We are a company that plays a key role in many important technical modernization programs of the Polish Army. Therefore, every strengthening of the company is also a strengthening of Poland’s defense industry and of the Armed Forces’ capabilities,” said Jelcz president Waldemar Markiewicz.
The perspective of the asset operator was presented by RFK president Andrzej Kopeć:
“Gaining such credible partners as the Polish Armaments Group and Jelcz is a guarantee that the potential hidden in Rafako’s assets will be fully utilized. Thanks to this cooperation, we gain a real opportunity to restore production capabilities at the Racibórz facilities and make a tangible contribution to rebuilding the region’s industrial strength. As a company operating in Racibórz, we feel obliged to actively support the development of this area and its residents,” he said.
The signing of the letter of intent marks the starting point for detailed economic, financial and technical analyses that will shape the final form of the potential investments. The success of this project may become a model example of how the assets of large bankrupt enterprises can be efficiently reused – to the benefit of both the state and the region.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of representatives of the central government, local authorities and the presidents of all participating companies.
MILMAG Commentary:
It is worth noting that on 15 April this year Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the government would invest funds to keep the company Rafako afloat, after a court had declared it bankrupt a few months earlier. In the former energy-sector plant, the launch of defense production was announced.
Kolejna ważna inicjatywa! 💪
📣 Dziś podpisano list intencyjny między #PGZ, @AgencjaRozwoju, JELCZ sp. z o.o. i RFK sp. z o.o. W imieniu PGZ dokument podpisał Prezes @AdamLeszkiewicz.
🛡️ Cel: rozwój potencjału przemysłowego regionu i zwiększenie zdolności produkcyjnych #JELCZ. pic.twitter.com/abZZsldyVJ
— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @donaldtusk 👇
Zainwestowaliśmy setki milionów złotych. Przedsięwzięcia prowadzone w Raciborzu przyniosą zysk i będą miały bezpośredni wpływ na polskie bezpieczeństwo. pic.twitter.com/f9l4Gkjx2G
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @donaldtusk 👇
Losy ludzi pracujących w RFK nie będą zależały od kaprysów właścicieli czy wahań na rynku. pic.twitter.com/1C48wd55Ey
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
📍#Racibórz | Premier @DonaldTusk spotkał się z zarządem oraz pracownikami firmy RFK. pic.twitter.com/tsp7jHmOt7
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @DonaldTusk w #Racibórz: Fakt, że tutaj w Raciborzu będzie odbywać się produkcja zbrojeniowa, daje bardzo stabilną perspektywę. Losy ludzi tu pracujących nie będą zależały od kaprysów właścicieli czy wahań na rynku. Partnerami dla produkcji w Raciborzu będą MON i…
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @DonaldTusk w #Racibórz:Setki milionów złotych zainwestowane w różne komponenty tego przedsięwzięcia mają na celu rozwój produkcji z punktu widzenia polskiego bezpieczeństwa, ale także wsparcie lokalnych społeczności – tu w Raciborzu.
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @DonaldTusk w #Racibórz:
Rzeczywiście ratujemy to miejsce. To bardzo dobrze przemyślany, biznesowy program. Przedsięwzięcia prowadzone tu, w Raciborzu, przyniosą nam zysk i będą miały bezpośredni wpływ na polskie bezpieczeństwo.— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025
💬 Premier @DonaldTusk w #Racibórz: W 2012 roku ratowaliśmy zakłady Jelcza przed zniknięciem z mapy polskiego przemysłu. Dziś tutaj, w Raciborzu, wspólnym wysiłkiem dajemy szansę na rozpoczęcie wspólnej produkcji.
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) October 14, 2025