Defence & Space

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: GROTowisko-25 Conference Begins Next Week

On the weekend of June 14–15, 2025, the next edition of GROTowisko will take place. Once again, the military complex…

2025-06-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Taking Responsibility for Veterans – Rheinmetall participates in the first National Veterans’ Day

German-based Rheinmetall AG participates in the first National Veterans’ Day of the Bundeswehr. Numerous Rheinmetall sites set an example.

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone

Rohde & Schwarz has achieved a major milestone with the sale of over 10,000 R&S M3AR radios worldwide, underscoring its dedication to delivering cutting-edge communication…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Buffer zone on the border with Belarus extended for another 90 days

The Minister of the Interior and Administration has signed a regulation introducing a temporary ban on presence in a designated area within the…

2025-06-11 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 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

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

Visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Singaporean company ST Engineering

One of the stops during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to Singapore was the local company ST Engineering, which…

2025-06-14 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes
Shooting

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

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 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

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 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

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

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

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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