Defence & Space

East Shield and the Baltic Defense Line: Cooperation and Investment in Defense Are the Cornerstone of Europe’s Security

East Shield, the Baltic Defense Line, the integration of available deterrence and defense capabilities, and EU defense funding were the…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 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

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

Hanwha Ocean Supports Poland’s Naval Sovereignty in Orka Program

During a press briefing in Warsaw, the South Korean company Hanwha Ocean presented a comprehensive financing proposal for the Orka submarine program.

2025-06-28 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Ukrainians Hit Four Russian Su-34 Bombers

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the Russian airbase in Marinovka,…

2025-06-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 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

Autonomous and Unmanned Systems by Łukasiewicz – PIAP at the OPEX 2025 Training Ground in Italy

During the HEDI OPEX 2025 experimental campaign at the CEPOLISPE training ground in Italy, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial…

2025-06-28 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Debut of Foudre – the French HIMARS

As previously announced by Turgis & Gaillard, the 55th International Paris Air and Space Show served as the venue for the…

2025-06-23 | Radosław Niesobski | 2 minutes

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 7 minutes

Polish WZL-1 and Airbus Helicopters to Cooperate on H145M for Armed Forces

Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1, (Military Aviation Works No. 1 – WZL-1) part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and the European…

2025-06-30 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Bayraktar TB2 and FlyEye Drones to Support Polish Police Manhunt for Killer Near Limanowa

The Bayraktar TB2 drone and FlyEye systems will support the Polish police in the search for 57-year-old Tadeusz Duda, suspected…

2025-06-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is formally opened by the Ambassador of Canada tothe Republic of Poland

Canadian company Galvion announced that the Canadian Ambassador to Poland, Catherine Godin, officially opened the European Production Hub in Gdańsk.

2025-06-26 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

East Shield and the Baltic Defense Line: Cooperation and Investment in Defense Are the Cornerstone of Europe’s Security

East Shield, the Baltic Defense Line, the integration of available deterrence and defense capabilities, and EU defense funding were the…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Poland Christens and Launches First Project 107 Delfin Reconnaissance Ship Jerzy Różycki

Today, on July 1, 2025, a christening and launching ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdańsk for…

2025-07-01 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 7 minutes

East Shield and the Baltic Defense Line: Cooperation and Investment in Defense Are the Cornerstone of Europe’s Security

East Shield, the Baltic Defense Line, the integration of available deterrence and defense capabilities, and EU defense funding were the…

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Russia Loses World’s Largest Helicopter, Mi-26, in Ukrainian Attack on Crimea

The Security Service of Ukraine reported that during a special operation at the Kirovske military airfield in occupied Crimea, a Pantsir-S1 air…

2025-06-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Finland Ministry of Defense selects ICEYE for space-based intelligence and surveillance capabilities

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Finnish Ministry of Defense have signed a Letter of Intent that enables the Finnish Defense…

2025-06-27 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Axiom Mission 4: The Historic Spaceflight of Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

June 25, 2025, will go down in history as the day when the second Pole in our history flew into…

2025-06-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes
Shooting

CZ Introduces the New CZ P-10 C PORTED Model

CZ P-10 C PORTED – a compact pistol with tamed recoil thanks to an integrated compensator.

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the SL-SideSaddle

Streamlight, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announces the SL-SideSaddle series, a new hands-free lighting solution built for outdoor adventure…

2025-07-01 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the SL-SideSaddle

Streamlight, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announces the SL-SideSaddle series, a new hands-free lighting solution built for outdoor adventure…

2025-07-01 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

KRUK Accessories for Rifles from Polish Company WBP Rogów Now Available!

The Polish manufacturer of well-regarded AK-type rifles, Wytwórnia Broni Jacek Popiński (WBP Rogów), has announced the introduction of accessories from…

2025-06-30 | Mariusz Piwowar | 3 minutes

IFRE 2025: Maskpol Showcases Protective Suits and Gas Masks

Maskpol, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented part of its product range—protective suits and gas masks—at the 5th…

2025-06-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

UF PRO Introduces Waist/Flex Belts to Its Product Line

UF PRO, a Slovenian manufacturer of professional apparel and part of the Mehler Systems group, is adding a new accessory to its lineup…

2025-06-06 | 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

CZ Introduces the New CZ P-10 C PORTED Model

CZ P-10 C PORTED – a compact pistol with tamed recoil thanks to an integrated compensator.

2025-07-02 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

SIG NEXT 2025: Long Gun – New 516-MOHAWK

As part of this year’s lineup of new products, SIG Sauer has unveiled a new version of its piston-driven AR-15 –…

2025-06-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Paris Air Show 2025: Bayraktar TB3 Debuts

The 55th edition of the International Paris Air and Space Show, held in the French capital, provided an opportunity for…

2025-06-19 | Radosław Niesobski | 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

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 first Ukrainian F-16 multi-role aircraft revealed?

The Voice of America in Ukrainian published an interview with a Ukrainian pilot codenamed Phantom, and for the first time, one of the alleged Ukrainian multi-role aircraft Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon was presented.

On Friday, February 9th, the Voice of America in Ukrainian published an interview with a Ukrainian pilot with the codename Phantom, and for the first time, one of the alleged Ukrainian multi-role aircraft Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon was presented.

Photo: Voice Of America in Ukrainian

Journalist Maria Prus conducted an interview with a Ukrainian pilot known as Phantom. As he stated, the training process, which lasts an average of six months, is undergone not only by pilots but also ground personnel, especially mechanics, who will be responsible for servicing the aircraft and maintaining their operational readiness for combat missions, as well as technical support units.

As for the schedule, according to the plan, it takes about 6 months to train one pilot or a group of pilots. But there are nuances, and they are primarily related not to our personnel, but to the administrative work of our partners, their own bureaucracy, and it takes time. Therefore, it has affected the preparation time. But it is proceeding according to plan, said Phantom.

Phantom noted that Ukrainian pilots found it difficult to grasp the knowledge at the initial stage of training because the F-16 is a next-generation aircraft compared to what the Ukrainian Air Force currently has, especially in terms of complex onboard systems.

We haven’t dealt with this before; our training is somewhat different, and our aircraft are much simpler than the F-16, the pilot said. He also provided the editorial team with the first photograph of the aircraft in Ukrainian livery (which, however, raises doubts). Currently, it is said to be located outside of Ukraine. It was previously confirmed that a Ukrainian pilot with the callsign Moonfish is also undergoing training on the F-16.

What do Phantom and other Ukrainian pilots think about the F-16?

Our pilots are very impressed. This aircraft simply exceeded our expectations. Even with the amount of information we received during training, we already see great prospects and a significant insight into how this aircraft will help our air force enhance the capabilities of our combat aviation. And you can imagine that there is information that we have not yet explored, we have not learned everything about what else this aircraft is capable of, Phantom said in the interview.

What do American and Western instructors think about Ukrainian pilots?

The initial impression of our guys was that they were motivated, their eyes were lit up. One instructor even said that he sees how we want to start training faster and faster. Overall, the impressions and feedback we receive from the instructors are very positive. Thanks to the experience of instructors from other countries, they can already make comparisons. They say that Ukrainian pilots are very strong; they see the experience gained during air battles over Ukraine after the full-scale invasion began, and it is precisely these skills that they will try to improve on the F-16 aircraft.

Earlier, it was reported that the US National Guard still has enough financial resources to complete the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, despite the fact that the US Department of Defense is not receiving funds from new military assistance packages, as it have been blocked by the US Senate. This was reported by the commander of the US National Guard, General Dan Hokanson.

Interestingly, when asked by the journalist whether Western retired pilots would fight on Ukraine’s side, Phantom replied that the Ukrainian command had conducted analyses in this regard and concluded that there is no urgent need for foreign pilots in Ukrainian skies.

Regarding the question of whether the ground infrastructure in Ukraine is ready to accommodate the F-16, the pilot enigmatically responded that there are currently certain difficulties and nuances, but the infrastructure will be ready in due time.

On August 20, 2023, the authorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Denmark declared their readiness to transfer aircraft, 42 and 19 units respectively. Meanwhile, on August 24, 2023, Norwegian media reported a possible similar step by the authorities in Oslo – it is said to involve 6-12 or 5-10 aircraft, but this has not been confirmed yet. Belgium is also set to transfer its aircraft after 2025.

In November 2023, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Norway transferred their multi-role F-16AM/BM aircraft to the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) in Romania, which is used for training Ukrainian and Romanian pilots.

On December 22, 2023, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, informed on social media about a phone conversation he had with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. He informed Ukrainian partners about preparations for the transfer of the first batch of 18 F-16AM/BM aircraft. Then, on February 5 of this year, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that another 6 aircraft are being prepared for transfer – thus, increasing the Dutch contribution to 24 planes.

The coalition for training Ukrainians on the F-16 consists of 11 countries: the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, and Romania.

It is worth adding that on November 14, 2023, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William A. LaPlante, reported that repairs and technical servicing of future Ukrainian F-16 aircraft will take place in Europe, primarily in Poland.

UPDATE

Analysis of the photograph determined its geolocation. The photo was taken at the Skrydstrup Air Base in the Danish region of Southern Jutland, and the aircraft is a Danish one.

However, using the online digital photo analysis tool FotoForensics, manipulation of Ukrainian markings was also demonstrated – the golden trident on the tail and the yellow-blue identification roundel on the fuselage. While the photograph of the aircraft itself may be a manipulation for media interview purposes, the fact that F-16s (including this one) soon will reach the hands of the Ukrainian Air Force is undeniable.

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