Defence & Space

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 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

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

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 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

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

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

Taking Responsibility for Veterans – Rheinmetall participates in the first National Veterans’ Day

German-based Rheinmetall AG participates in the first National Veterans’ Day of the Bundeswehr. Numerous Rheinmetall sites set an example.

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone

Rohde & Schwarz has achieved a major milestone with the sale of over 10,000 R&S M3AR radios worldwide, underscoring its dedication to delivering cutting-edge communication…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 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

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 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

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

Visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Singaporean company ST Engineering

One of the stops during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to Singapore was the local company ST Engineering, which…

2025-06-14 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 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

Norway to Purchase 24 More K9 VIDAR Howitzers

The Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway has announced plans to purchase an additional 24 K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers, which will join the 28 units of this type already delivered by the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace.

On Friday, April 4, 2025, Norway’s Labour Party government announced that it had authorized the Ministry of Defence to implement an investment and technical modernization plan for the armed forces worth 17 billion NOK, of which 10 billion NOK will be allocated to new programs, and 7 billion NOK to the expansion of existing ones. The plan still requires approval from the Norwegian parliament (Storting).

K9 VIDAR / Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway

The first acquisition involves the procurement of an additional 24 K9 VIDAR (Versatile InDirect ARtillery) 155 mm/L52 self-propelled howitzers, a local version of the South Korean K9A1 Thunder produced by Hanwha Aerospace. The purchase is estimated at 5.65 billion NOK (K9A1 Thunder in Poland’s 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade).

The decision to acquire more howitzers, which will join the 28 already in service, stems from conclusions presented in the document Investments in the Armed Forces and Other Matters (Investeringer i Forsvaret og andre saker). Interestingly, this is part of the implementation of an annex to the original agreement signed in 2017.

This means that a total of 52 K9 VIDAR howitzers will be operated by the Norwegian Army (Hæren).

We are facing a serious security policy situation. That is why we will now ask the Storting to approve significant investments in various parts of the Armed Forces to strengthen Norway’s defense capability, in line with the ambitions of the long-term plan presented last year. All in all, these are important investments in our shared security and safety,” said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik (Labour Party).

Therefore, the government is proposing equipment for the new artillery battalion of the expanding Finnmark Brigade, as well as additional mine countermeasure systems (a total of 8.7 billion NOK — increased by 3.9 billion NOK), along with additional funding for the modernization of housing infrastructure for officers at Ørland Air Base and the construction of 250 new housing units in Sørland (713 million NOK).

We must ensure that the Armed Forces have the resources they need to detect and neutralize mines or other explosive devices underwater. This will help ensure that our own vessels and those of our allies can sail safely and freely in Norwegian waters. In addition, it can help secure critical underwater infrastructure,” noted Minister Sandvik.

On December 20, 2017, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell, FMA) signed a contract with then-Hanwha Defense (now Hanwha Aerospace) worth 1.8 billion NOK for the delivery of 24 K9 VIDAR howitzers and 6 K10 ARV (Ammunition Resupply Vehicle) support vehicles. The contract was fulfilled in 2021. An annex to the agreement included the option to purchase an additional 24 howitzers and an undisclosed number of support vehicles. On November 7, 2022, a supplementary contract worth over 1 billion NOK was signed for the delivery of 4 K9 VIDAR howitzers and 8 K10 vehicles. This delivery was completed earlier this year.

Support for the K9 VIDAR and K10 ARV systems is provided by a technical maintenance center in Bjerkvik, located in Nordland County. Hanwha has supplied the center with test equipment, training materials, and the necessary technical expertise. The facility is also capable of servicing similar artillery systems used by other countries in the region, such as Finland and Estonia. The Norwegian industrial partner for the program is Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA).

The K9 VIDAR is a variant of the modernized K9A1 Thunder, equipped with the Norwegian ODIN fire control system in place of the BTCS, the MARIA battle management system (BMS class) from Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA), and Norwegian NATO-standard communication systems. It was introduced into service with the Norwegian Royal Artillery Battalion (Artilleribataljonen) after the planned procurement of Swedish wheeled Archer howitzers – FH77BW L52 – was canceled in 2013.

The Korean howitzers replaced 18 M109A3GN 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. These were upgraded M109G models, a total of 126 of which were purchased from West Germany between 1969 and 1971. In 2022, 22 of these howitzers (including some previously stored) were sent to Ukraine as part of Norway’s military aid in response to the war with Russia.

The Norwegian military plans to complement its self-propelled howitzers with new multiple launch rocket systems. Currently under consideration are the American M142 HIMARS and the Israeli PULS. Previously, between 1999 and 2005, Norway operated 12 heavy M270 MLRS launchers, ordered from the United States for 1.5 billion NOK. Following the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Oslo decided to support the United Kingdom’s military aid to Kyiv by contributing its own decommissioned systems. On June 29, 2022, Norway announced the transfer of three retired M270 launchers to London, followed by another eight on May 13, 2023 (one remaining launcher was retained in the country as a museum exhibit).

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