Defence & Space

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

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 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

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

Hanwha Ocean Supports Poland’s Naval Sovereignty in Orka Program

During a press briefing in Warsaw, the South Korean company Hanwha Ocean presented a comprehensive financing proposal for the Orka submarine program.

2025-06-28 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Ukrainians Hit Four Russian Su-34 Bombers

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the Russian airbase in Marinovka,…

2025-06-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 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

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 7 minutes

Polish WZL-1 and Airbus Helicopters to Cooperate on H145M for Armed Forces

Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1, (Military Aviation Works No. 1 – WZL-1) part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and the European…

2025-06-30 | Redakcja | 2 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

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

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 7 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 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

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

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

KRUK Accessories for Rifles from Polish Company WBP Rogów Now Available!

The Polish manufacturer of well-regarded AK-type rifles, Wytwórnia Broni Jacek Popiński (WBP Rogów), has announced the introduction of accessories from…

2025-06-30 | Mariusz Piwowar | 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

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

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

SIG NEXT 2025: Long Gun – New 516-MOHAWK

As part of this year’s lineup of new products, SIG Sauer has unveiled a new version of its piston-driven AR-15 –…

2025-06-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 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

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

Opening of the AW149 Production Line at PZL-Świdnik

On June 4, 2024, a ceremony was held at the WSK PZL-Świdnik headquarters to inaugurate the production line for AW149 multi-role helicopters. The helicopters will be manufactured at the Świdnik plant as part of the supply program for the Polish Armed Forces.

As emphasized by Deputy Minister of National Defense Paweł Bejda, who was present at the ceremony: The opening of the new AW149 assembly line at PZL Świdnik is a flywheel for the Polish economy. The contract worth PLN 8.25 billion with the Ministry of National Defense is significant support, allowing for a gradual increase in employment, which today amounts to 3,500 employees. This plant is the pride of Poland and the region.

The new line, operating on a single-shift schedule, is expected to enable the production of 10 AW149 helicopters per year. This capacity will allow for fulfilling deliveries to meet the needs of the Polish Armed Forces by the end of 2029 and, if necessary, will be able to handle additional orders.

https://twitter.com/pawelbejda/status/1798089451450651127

As emphasized by Jacek Libucha, President of PZL-Świdnik: The recent period has been a time of multimillion-dollar investments, encompassing infrastructure, equipment, and facilities, particularly the building that now houses the complete production line for AW149 helicopters. With the production of the AW149, a new era begins for the Świdnik plant – it was clear to me from the very beginning, when I was appointed as President of PZL-Świdnik, that we needed a new line to produce the most advanced helicopters to further develop our competencies, which must come with technology transfer. What we have achieved also meets the highest needs of the Polish Armed Forces – the AW149 helicopters will provide the Land Forces with the best possible combat support, which is what this platform was created for.

The AW149, which has already been test-flown, is ready to be delivered to the user

During the visit to the plant, the gathered guests had the opportunity to learn about the new investments at PZL Świdnik. These include the final assembly line (FAL) for the AW149 and the station for testing, assembly of special equipment, and test flights, known as the Flight Line.

The final assembly process is divided into three stages, during which the helicopter is equipped with electrical installations, control systems, and fuel and hydraulic systems. Next, the cockpit is completed, and the engines, main gearbox, landing gear, and power units are installed. In the final stage of assembly, the tail boom with the rotor, windows, stabilizers, and rotor hub are attached.

The first AW149 being assembled on the final assembly line at PZL-Świdnik

The station where the assembly of the largest components of the AW149 will take place: the engine, main gearbox, landing gear, and the connection of the fuselage with the tail boom. The final step of this stage will be the installation of the instrument panels and the ATP test of the helicopter.

The final stage of helicopter production takes place on the Flight Line (FL), where the helicopters undergo final inspection, are equipped with cryptographic systems, and are test-flown.

The AW149 program for the Polish Armed Forces is based on localizing the production of these helicopters in Poland, at PZL-Świdnik. This is a strategic decision by the Ministry of Defense aimed at securing both national security and key industrial benefits. Through local production, Poland gains not only the most advanced helicopters but also a domestic logistical base and technical support located close to the military. The contract, worth PLN 8.25 billion gross (USD 2.05 billion), for 32 AW149 helicopters was signed in Świdnik in 2022 and also includes the integration of all helicopter systems and dedicated weaponry, as well as future upgrades and technical support throughout the lifecycle of Poland’s AW149 fleet.

Presentation of the AW149 in flight. This is the fifth helicopter to be delivered to the Polish Armed Forces. This particular unit was still produced at Leonardo’s plant in Vergiate / Photos and video: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG

Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said: PZL-Świdnik is an example of the highest level of excellence within our organisation, obtaining very good results in all areas and has great potential for further development. In line with this, there are growing requirements for our company based in Świdnik to continue to evolve from a manufacturer to a key market player that manages complex contracts and deliveries. The Polish MoD programme of AW149 is a clear example of this today. The localisation of industrial and logistical capabilities for these new helicopters to meet Poland’s needs, leverage the long established and unique capabilities of PZL-Świdnik and its professional skills combined with the outstanding operational capabilities of the AW149s will deliver unparalleled advantages to the country.

PZL-Świdnik, as the only domestic helicopter OEM, has full capabilities from design to production and servicing. However, as part of Leonardo, it also leverages the strategic depth provided by its European facilities—this means, among other things, speed of delivery and flexibility in responding to demanding delivery schedules or potential scenarios related to military threats in today’s geopolitical situation. The first AW149 helicopters were produced in Vergiate (Italy), where PZL-Świdnik employees underwent on-the-job training, integrating into the production cycle of helicopters for the Polish military, in response to an urgent need. The first helicopters were received by the Land Forces just 15 months after the contract was signed.

PZL-Świdnik employs over 3,200 workers, 20% of whom are engineers, and there is a growing number of young, newly hired employees who are graduates of technical universities. Therefore, cooperation with polytechnics and technical military universities is continuously developing. This aims to meet the current and future needs of the country for a strong engineering workforce, considering both industrial development and security. The Świdnik plant employs test pilots with the highest level of capability (Level 1) to meet the current and future needs of the Polish Army and other Polish programmes. These pilots performed a dynamic demonstration of the AW149 during the ceremonial opening of the AW149 production line.

https://twitter.com/PZLSwidnik/status/1798235652334768317

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