Defence & Space

Poland’s WB Group Unveils Optionally Unmanned Ground Vehicle Prototype

During a presentation at the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade in Warsaw-Wesoła, WB Group unveiled a technology demonstrator of a manned-unmanned ground platform. This…

2025-04-30 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 2 minutes

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to join forces on centre of excellence for European Security

American company Lockheed Martin have agreed to expand their existing cooperation with German-based Rheinmetall AG. An extension of an already existing…

2025-04-30 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Run-flat inserts – an essential component of modern military wheeled vehicles

For many years, it has been observed that wheeled chassis purchased and operated by the armed forces require additional equipment to enable…

2025-03-07 | Radosław Niesobski | 4 minutes

When Trump Plays with Putin – Europe Must Arm Itself

Donald Trump makes it clear that Europe must defend itself and take care of its own security. It has taken…

2025-02-21 | Sławek Zagórski | 4 minutes

Russia Unveils New Cruise Missile

During a visit by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, to the Kapustin Yar missile test range,…

2025-04-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Ministry of National Defence: There Will Be No Secure Poland Without a Drone Force

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with Polish manufacturers of unmanned weapons systems. The meeting…

2025-04-25 | Redakcja | 6 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz enhances military spectrum monitoring capabilities

Rohde & Schwarz advances their military spectrum monitoring portfolio by launching easily deployable monitoring systems, designed to help armed forces optimize their spectrum management,…

2025-04-21 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz unveiled postprocessing platform RAMON IQzoom

RAMON IQzoom from Rohde & Schwarz is redefining the boundaries of signal analysis, by empowering armed forces to delve deeper into the…

2025-04-20 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Office of the Polish Armaments Group in Brussels Officially Opened

During the Competitiveness & Security Business Summit 2025, held under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of…

2025-03-24 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Bambi Bucket Firefighting Baskets at Verticon 2025

During the Verticon 2025 air show in Dallas, the Canadian company SEI Industries showcased its Bambi Bucket firefighting baskets.

2025-03-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Poland’s WB Group Unveils Optionally Unmanned Ground Vehicle Prototype

During a presentation at the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade in Warsaw-Wesoła, WB Group unveiled a technology demonstrator of a manned-unmanned ground platform. This…

2025-04-30 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 2 minutes

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to join forces on centre of excellence for European Security

American company Lockheed Martin have agreed to expand their existing cooperation with German-based Rheinmetall AG. An extension of an already existing…

2025-04-30 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is declared Fully Operational

Canadian-based Galvion company has announced that their European Production Hub in Poland is now fully operational.

2025-04-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Ukraine: Fort-230A Submachine Guns to Replace AKS-74U Carbines

A photograph has appeared on social media showing soldiers of the Ukrainian National Guard equipped with new 9mm Fort-230A submachine guns,…

2025-03-26 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to join forces on centre of excellence for European Security

American company Lockheed Martin have agreed to expand their existing cooperation with German-based Rheinmetall AG. An extension of an already existing…

2025-04-30 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Russia Unveils New Cruise Missile

During a visit by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, to the Kapustin Yar missile test range,…

2025-04-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

CV90 Among Topics in Swedish-Lithuanian Defense Talks

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas paid a visit to Stockholm, where he held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on defense…

2025-04-23 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Media: Australian Abrams Tanks for Ukraine Delayed

As reported by the Australian public broadcaster ABC, the delivery of 49 M1A1SA Abrams tanks promised last year to the Armed Forces…

2025-03-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Creotech Instruments to Build the National Satellite Constellation CAMILA

The Polish company Creotech Instruments has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to build a national constellation of at least…

2025-04-15 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Thorium Space and Creotech Instruments Partner for Polish National Telecommunications Satellite

Two Polish space sector companies, Thorium Space and Creotech Instruments, have signed a strategic agreement outlining the framework for joint efforts…

2025-04-10 | Redakcja | 4 minutes
Shooting

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Michael F. Dineen Promoted to President of Streamlight

Streamlight, Inc. announced that it has promoted Michael F. Dineen to President. Formerly Chief Revenue Officer, Dineen succeeds Raymond L. Sharrah.

2025-04-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025: Source Tactical with Ballistic Protection for Women

At the Source Tactical booth, not only popular hydration systems were showcased, but also personal ballistic protection—including armor specifically designed…

2025-02-26 | 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

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20 for civilian shooters

Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom, a member of the Polish Armaments Group, has introduced the semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20…

2025-03-11 | Redakcja | 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

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

TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The Vanguard is a uniform set from the Polish brand Direct Action, designed in collaboration with special forces soldiers. There are…

2025-01-19 | Michał Gaweł | 18 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

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

Slovak F-16D Block 70 through the lens of MILMAG

The MILMAG editorial team had the pleasure of photographing one of the Slovak multirole Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 70 aircraft in flight over the desert near Phoenix, Arizona.

The aircraft, one of 14 ordered by the Slovak Republic, was showcased in flight over the desert terrain near Phoenix, Arizona. It took off from Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, where Slovak (and Polish) pilots are trained. The base is home to the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard. These are the first such photos in the history of Slovakia’s Air Force (Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej Republiky), taken on October 9th from a civilian Short SC.7 Skyvan transport aircraft by our photographer, Michał Adamowski.

Photos: Michał Adamowski, MILMAG

The centerpiece of today’s gallery arrived at the U.S. National Guard training center in Arizona on June 13th of this year. A total of 22 pilots and 160 ground technical support members will undergo training in the U.S. The training of Slovak flying and ground personnel is conducted by the 162nd Operations Group of the 162nd Wing.

On January 10th of this year, Lockheed Martin formally handed over the first two units to the Slovak Air Force. In total, nine Slovak F-16s will be stationed at Morris Air Base for training purposes, while the remaining five are being transferred directly to Slovakia—the first two arrived in the user’s country on July 22nd of this year, and the arrival of the third is planned by the end of the year. They have been temporarily stationed at Kuchyňa-Malacky Air Base as part of the 46th Wing until the ground infrastructure at Sliač Air Base is upgraded.

Slovakia decided to purchase American aircraft on July 11, 2018, rejecting the Swedish counteroffer from Saab Defence and Security for the JAS 39 Gripen (the procurement program had been ongoing since 2015). The F-16C/D Block 70 was chosen as the replacement for 11 operational MiG-29AS/UBS fighters, which were then grouped in the 1st Fighter Squadron (1. Bojová letka) of the Otto Smik Tactical Wing (Taktické krídlo Otta Smika) of the Air Force, stationed at Sliač Air Base (on September 28, 2019, the twelfth MiG-29 crashed).

The package for Slovakia was valued at a maximum of 2.91 billion USD and included, in addition to the aircraft themselves, AN/APG-83 SABR radar stations with active electronically scanned array (AESA), AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, GBU-12, GBU-38, and GBU-49 bombs, as well as Mk 82 bombs. The intergovernmental agreement, worth over 1.6 billion EUR, was signed in December 2018 (the final order value was reduced through negotiations).

On July 31, 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a contract with Lockheed Martin worth 799,955,939 USD for the production and delivery of the aircraft, with a deadline set for January 31, 2024. Interestingly, there were initial plans to purchase used U.S. F-16A/B aircraft, stored by the U.S. Air Force (USAF), but the cost of refurbishment and modernization, estimated at 220 million EUR, proved to be too high.

On October 27, 2021, the then Minister of Defense of Slovakia, Jaroslav Naď, participated in a symbolic ceremony marking the start of production of the first F-16, which was assigned the factory number EY-01. He then met with a group of Slovak pilots undergoing initial training on the F-16 at the international training center at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

On April 14, 2023, Minister Naď announced that the government had delivered all 13 of the promised MiG-29AS/UBS fighters to Ukraine, which is currently at war. Until Slovakia’s F-16s reach operational readiness, the country’s airspace is being protected by Poland and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, on June 21 of this year, the current leadership of the Ministry announced at a press conference that they would file a criminal complaint regarding the delivery of the mentioned MiG-29 aircraft and two 2K12 Kub 2M surface-to-air missile launchers to Ukraine by the government of Eduard Heger.

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