Defence & Space

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 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

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

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

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

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

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

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

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

The End Of An Era – The „Bielik” And „Sęp” Submarines Decommissioned

At the Naval Base in Gdynia a ceremony was held of lowering the colours on ORP „Bielik” (297) and ORP „Sęp” (295) submarines of the 207 Kobben Type (Project IKL IK29).

On 14 December this year, at the Naval Base in Gdynia, a ceremony of lowering the colours on submarines of ORP “Sęp” (295) and ORP “Bielik” (297) of the 207 Kobben Type (Project IKL IK9) took place. Information on the plans of imminent decommissioning of the ships appeared on 20 January this year. The ships will be transferred to the Agency of Military Property (AMW) (Poland will withdraw final Kobben submarines).

ORP “Sęp” (295) used to serve in the Norwegian Navy as HNoMS Skolpen (S306) in 1966-2001. Then she was transferred to the Polish Navy, where she was commissioned on 16 August 2002

The ceremony was held with the participation of the Guard of Honour and Orchestra of the Navy. According to the naval ceremonial, the colours and ensigns lowered by the commanders of both ships, will be handed over to the Polish Navy Museum. The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Admiral Jarosław Ziemiański, Inspector of the Polish Navy commander of the 3rd Ship Flotilla )3. FO), the Rear Admiral Mirosław Jurkowlaniec, personnel of the Submarine Squadron (dOP), ship christener of ORP “Bielik”, Mrs. Jolanta Banach, ships’ companies and invited guests.

The Tuesday’s ceremony had symbolic character, because both ships were withdrawn from active service in May this year, after the Sunlight 2x38ST10A batteries had been dismantled, together with accompanying equipment, on the basis of a contract worth PLN 999,999 gross dated 16 February this year, and concluded between the Repair Shipyard in Gdańsk and Command of the Naval Base in Gdynia.

The only submarine remaining in the service of the Polish Navy is currently ORP “Orzeł” (291) of the Project 877E Paltus (NATO codename: Kilo), although since 3 November she has been undergoing routine maintenance at the PGZ Shipyard in Gdynia. Therefore at this point, the Navy of the Republic of Poland does not have any submarine in the active service (ORP Orzel nears re-entering service).

According to the current technical modernisation plan of the Polish Armed Forces, up to 2034 are to be purchased two new submarines as part of the “Orka” programmme (Scorpène Type from Naval Group, 212CD from TKMS or A26 from Saab), after the failure to acquire Swedish HSwMS Södermanland and Östergötland submarines, i.e.modified A17 Södermanland Type.

ORP “Bielik” (297) served in the Norwegian Navy as HNoMS Svenner (S309) in 1967-2001. Then she was transferred to the Polish Navy, where she was commissioned on 8 September 2003. Image: 3. FO

The ORP “Sęp” submarine was built at the German Nordseeverke Shipyard for the Royal Norwegian Navy. In 1966 she entered the Norwegian service as HNoMS Skolpen. After the end of service in Norwegian Navy, she was handed over to the Polish Armed Forces. For the first time on the submarine numbered 295, the white and red flag were raised on 16v August 2002. The ship’s christener was Mrs. Małgorzata Szmajdzińska, the wife of the then Minister of National Defence, and the ceremony was held at the Naval Base in Gdynia. For over 19 years, the ship sailed more than 30,000 nautical miles, performing 296 immersions and spending 320 days at sea (of which 149 submerged). The “Sęp” participated in domestic and international exercises, among others Anakonda, Baltops, Crown Eagle, Smer/Medex, Bold Monarch, Dynamic Monarch, Danex, Passex, Dragon and Ostrobok.

The ORP “Bielik” was launched on 27 January 1967 at the German Nordseewerke Shipyard. She was commissioned to the Norwegian Navy in 1967 as HNoMS Svenner, and after her retitement from the service in 2001, the ship was handed over to the Polish Navy. Raising the white and red colours took place on 8 bSeptember 2003 at the Norwegian Naval Base in Bergen, and her official commissioning took place on 24 October 2003 at the Naval Base in Gdynia. The ship’s christener was Mrs. Jolanta Banach, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, Work and Social Policy. Over the 18-year period of flyingh the white and red colours, three times (14.01 – 29.04.2004; 11.10. 2006 – 30.03.2007, 28.10.2010 – 25.02.2011) she participated in the NATO anti-terrorist operations Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean. During her service in the Navy of the Republic of Poland, she sailed almost 57,000 nautical miles, performing 186 immersions, and spending 879 days at sea (of which 334 submerged). ORP “Bielik” participated in the most important international maneuvers in the Baltic Sea named Baltops, as well as in many domestic and international exercises, among others Joint Maritime Course, Crown Eagle, Anakonda, Smer/Medex, Bold Monarch, Dynamic Monarch, Danex, Passex, Dragon and Ostrobok.

The remaining two Polish Kobben Type submarines, the ex-ORP “Sokół” (294) and ex-ORP “Kondor” (297) were decommissioned on 8 June 2018 and 20 December 2017 respectively. The former was transferred last year to the Polish Navy Museum.

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