On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the PGZ Start-up – Innovation for Security event took place at the Military University of Technology Club in Warsaw, under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Photos: PGZ
The aim of the event is to identify and present technological solutions that can find application in both the civilian and defense sectors (so-called dual-use). PGZ’s areas of interest include, among others, drone technologies, unmanned vehicle solutions, counter-unmanned systems, artificial intelligence applications, advanced data analysis, cybersecurity, and quantum and satellite technologies.
„The Military University of Technology and the Polish Armaments Group have for many years been jointly building the defense potential of our country. WAT as the largest military-civilian university in Poland and PGZ as the leader of the Polish defense industry jointly recognize that in an era of growing threats, it is new technologies that determine superiority over the adversary. Many technologies intended for the military have originated and developed in dynamic startups, which bring freshness, creativity, and operational agility to the defense ecosystem,” emphasized WAT Rector-Commandant Brigadier General Prof. Przemysław Wachulak, PhD, DSc.
„We are looking for interesting technological solutions that can be relatively quickly introduced into the equipment of the armed forces. PGZ, in turn, wishes to act as an integrator. Direct contact with PGZ is the best path for private companies, including startups, to present their achievements, the level of advancement of their work, and its implementation into the defense industry. We will also help startups adapt to the rigorous requirements of the defense sector. I am convinced that both sides can only benefit from such cooperation and together build a new dimension of Poland’s security,” said PGZ President Adam Leszkiewicz.
The war in Ukraine has clearly demonstrated how important the development of defense startups is, they respond swiftly to changing conditions, particularly in the areas of drones, reconnaissance systems, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence used for battlefield analysis.
Scientific and educational partnership
PGZ will develop a model of cooperation with startups that will enable the rapid assessment, testing, and implementation of the best technological solutions. To this end, during the event the Polish Armaments Group concluded a cooperation agreement with the Military University of Technology. The aim of the agreement is expert cooperation, collaboration in the area of developing innovative technologies, particularly those of significance for the defense sector, within the framework of building and modernizing innovative weapons systems and dual-use applications, the creation of a lasting framework for joint research and development work, technology transfer, and the utilization of WAT’s scientific and research potential, as well as the preparation and execution of projects financed from domestic and international sources. An important aspect of the cooperation will also be the training of personnel for the PGZ Capital Group and development opportunities for WAT students.
„Today, together with the President of the Polish Armaments Group, we signed an agreement on close cooperation in development and implementation projects, the further development of unmanned platforms, armament modernization, and military equipment certification. We place great importance, in the education of our officer cadets and civilian students, on future service and employment. We therefore also actively develop cooperation in the areas of internships, placements, competitions, and programs. I am pleased that new opportunities in this field will open up for our students, including through the Talents for PGZ program. On our part, we offer the possibility of personnel training, and the organization of courses, seminars, and conferences,” said WAT Rector-Commandant Brigadier General Prof. Przemysław Wachulak, PhD, DSc.
„As the Department of Military Education of the Ministry of National Defense, we recognize the enormous value of cooperation between military universities and the industry and new technology sector. The education of future specialists for the Polish Armed Forces must respond to the challenges of the modern battlefield and the needs of the developing defense sector. Only by combining scientific, educational, and industrial potential can we effectively prepare personnel capable of creating solutions meeting the requirements of the future,” assessed the Director of the Department of Military Education of the Ministry of National Defense, Prof. Leszek Wieczorek, PhD, DSc.
In the view of the Director of the Department of Innovation of the Ministry of National Defense, Brigadier General Marcin Górka, WAT is an excellent place to engage with the end user, that is, directly with the military, to refine and test solutions under laboratory and subsequently operational conditions. „An initiative such as this, where we bring together [military, scientific, and industrial – ed.] communities, fits perfectly into the Ministry of National Defense’s innovation strategy. In such an environment we can best respond to today’s challenges,” the Director emphasized.
The startup community was represented by Witold Witkowicz, President of the Management Board of ICEYE Polska, who presented the company’s journey – from startup to critical infrastructure imaging. „Currently, in cooperation with PGZ, we are executing the MikroSAR contract for the Polish Armed Forces – this is the first military earth observation system that recently entered service. Poland is at the forefront of building these systems; on the military side there is a full understanding of what the future battlefield will look like and that investment in developing precisely these capabilities is necessary,” said the President of ICEYE Polska. He added that unlike large organizations executing existing contracts, startups can focus on the development of experimental technologies (Polish Defense-Sector Companies Discuss European Funding at Third Industry Meeting; Meeting of the CEOs of Polish Armaments Group and ICEYE).
In the context of developing capabilities in the space domain, it is worth noting that on June 16 of this year WAT assumed management of the PIAST satellite constellation. Full responsibility for the ongoing operation of Polish satellites and orbital experiments will be carried out by the Satellite Operations Center of the Department of Image Recognition of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy.
The event was both expert-oriented and networking in nature. Following the presentations and the debate „New technologies and startups in building Poland’s defense capabilities,” the key element of the event was direct meetings and discussions between startup representatives and representatives of Polish Armaments Group companies. Entrepreneurs were able to present their solutions and jointly outline potential directions for cooperation.
WAT and PGZ technologies
Technologies developed in consortia involving WAT and PGZ regularly enter service with the Polish Armed Forces. Examples of implementations carried out together with PGZ group companies include: MSBS Grot assault rifles along with Small Arms Systems and Grenade Launchers, various types of missiles, Aktyn reduced-ricochet ammunition, the OSU-35 naval weapon system, the Pilica anti-aircraft system, the Newa-SC and Wega missile sets, the Wisła_Brda radar, systems for the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, the Grom and Piorun missile sets, the WR-40 Langusta multiple rocket launcher, warheads for the AHS Krab self-propelled howitzer, and the P-18PL radar.
Based on press releases
Porozumienie @WAT_edu i @PGZ_pl poszerza przestrzeń współpracy na rzecz rozwoju innowacyjnych technologii dla sektora obronnego i dual-use https://t.co/8dWzrJ1UQb@MON_GOV_PL pic.twitter.com/CpxCUIm5q0
— Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna (@WAT_edu) June 17, 2026
See also: