On Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Military Institute Of Technology (Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia, WITU), Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Deputy Ministers Paweł Bejda and Cezary Tomczyk observed tests of unmanned weapon systems produced by the Polish defense industry, both state-owned and private.
Photo: Monika Dwulatek/WCEO
“New capabilities are emerging every day, particularly in the area of unmanned systems – air, ground, underwater, and surface drones. Versions 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 are being developed practically every month. That is why we must have the ability to respond quickly. The SAFE program gives us the ability to reinforce capabilities in a very short timeframe. Contracts will be signed this year and next, with deliveries carried out through 2030. That is a very short horizon. We are racing against time. Not only is the adversary extremely dangerous – every hour, every second, every day cannot be wasted,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz after the drone presentation at the WITU proving grounds (The SAFE Program (Security Action for Europe) as the Foundation of a New European Defense Architecture and Industrial Sovereignty).
“Today’s demonstration presents a portion of the capabilities of the Polish defense industry. Yesterday in the Senate, during the debate, many questions were raised: can the Polish defense industry deliver? The answer is yes – we are ready. For example, Belma, specializing in the production of mines, has increased its capacity thirtyfold. At Mesko in Skarżysko-Kamienna, production of small- and medium-caliber ammunition has tripled, and in some segments increased severalfold – from 50 million to 250 million rounds annually. This shows that the capabilities of the Polish defense industry are growing. The SAFE program is currently the best solution – a kind of ‘turbo boost’ for the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces. Through SAFE, we are freeing up budget resources to respond to the dynamic development of military technology. We clearly see how the war in Ukraine over the past four years has changed the approach to the battlefield and weapons technology, and how rapidly these technologies are evolving,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
Solutions were presented by companies from the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), including PIT-Radwar (SA-35, PGZ-19RA), Huta Stalowa Wola (Borsuk, Waran with 30 mm and 12.7 mm remote weapon stations), Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów (12.7 mm WLKM heavy machine gun), Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 (Młot), and facilities in Bydgoszcz (Bluszcz mine-laying system). The event was held in close cooperation with research institutes, including the Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych (Wizjer mini-UAV, JET-2 LM, Kleszcz), WITU (PLargonia), the Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology (Kuna UGV), and Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP) (PIAP HUNTeR with Grupa WB, as well as PIAP IBIS, PIAP MULES, and PIAP PATROL).
Private-sector companies also showcased their solutions, including Advanced Protection Systems (FIELDctrl Ultra and Follow) and Husarion (Panther).
The event featured both dynamic demonstrations and an extensive static display of the latest equipment.
Importantly, for the first time in Poland, the combat use of effectors from the San counter-drone system was demonstrated. The live-fire segment included strike unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned ground platforms, and effectors and vehicles from the San program developed by companies within the PGZ Group.
“Polish Armaments Group showcased its production capabilities on such a scale for the first time, including strike drones in battlefield scenarios and autonomous systems supported by advanced data analytics and machine learning, designed not only to safeguard Polish citizens but also to protect soldiers,” said PGZ CEO Adam Leszkiewicz.
“In Zielonka, for the first time in Poland, the combat use of effectors from the San counter-drone system was demonstrated. The contract for the system had been signed just three weeks earlier, on January 30, 2026, at PIT-Radwar in Kobyłka. Capabilities were presented by the SA-35 system with a 35 mm effector from PIT-Radwar, as well as the counter-UAS system from Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów – the WLKM mounted on a Legwan Long chassis with a 12.7 mm effector” – said Arkadiusz Bąk, First Vice President of the PGZ Management Board.
In the static display segment, solutions were presented by Mesko, Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów, Zakłady Metalowe Dezamet, Bydgoskie Zakłady Elektromechaniczne Belma, and Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2.
“Today, with great satisfaction, we are presenting what we design, build, and finance here in our country. This is also a significant opportunity for the Polish economy, as interest in our equipment is strong. Poland is becoming a European leader in integrating science with modern technology. (…) I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister, because this requires modern thinking about how to combine our economic ambitions and aspirations with national security needs,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in his remarks.
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