Defence & Space

Poland’s 6th Airborne Sharpshooters Complete Training with New Grot DMR

In July, the first-ever course in the Polish Armed Forces for sharpshooters equipped with semi-automatic Grot 7.62×51 designated marksman rifles…

2025-07-15 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 5 minutes

5000 more Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman helmets for the Canadian DICE programme

Galvion receives further follow-on Batlskin Caiman order of 5000 helmets, for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme.

2025-07-15 | Redakcja | 3 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

Poland’s 6th Airborne Sharpshooters Complete Training with New Grot DMR

In July, the first-ever course in the Polish Armed Forces for sharpshooters equipped with semi-automatic Grot 7.62×51 designated marksman rifles…

2025-07-15 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 5 minutes

Second Delivery of K9A1 Thunder Howitzers to Poland This Year

A shipment of 155 mm K9A1 Thunder self-propelled howitzers arrived in Poland from the Republic of Korea, the second delivery of…

2025-07-15 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Orion: The Force Multiplier that led the IDF to unmatched ground superiority

Orion, developed by Asio Technologies in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) technology division and in full operational deployment by the…

2025-07-09 | Redakcja | 4 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

Wescom Defence to Unveil ATMIS Multispectral Camouflage at DSEI 2025

Wescom Defence, a trusted provider of pyrotechnics, energetics and a wide range of reliable products and systems to global defence forces, will officially…

2025-07-14 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

2nd S.E.A.L Conference under Our media patronage

We are pleased to announce that MILMAG Military Magazine has become the media patron of the second edition of the SE.A.L Conference,…

2025-07-11 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

5000 more Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman helmets for the Canadian DICE programme

Galvion receives further follow-on Batlskin Caiman order of 5000 helmets, for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme.

2025-07-15 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

ICEYE unveils machine learning-powered Flood Rapid Impact Product to revolutionize response

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE, a specialist in satellite-powered disaster management solutions, has announced the launch of Flood Rapid Impact (FRI).

2025-07-15 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Illegal migration to Europe in the first five months of 2025

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has published statistics on attempted illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders…

2025-07-08 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

LOT Polish Airlines Selected for Air Transport and MEDEVAC under the EU’s rescEU Program

LOT Polish Airlines has signed an agreement to provide air transport and MEDEVAC services. As part of the EU’s rescEU instrument…

2025-07-07 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland’s 6th Airborne Sharpshooters Complete Training with New Grot DMR

In July, the first-ever course in the Polish Armed Forces for sharpshooters equipped with semi-automatic Grot 7.62×51 designated marksman rifles…

2025-07-15 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 5 minutes

5000 more Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman helmets for the Canadian DICE programme

Galvion receives further follow-on Batlskin Caiman order of 5000 helmets, for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme.

2025-07-15 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Illegal migration to Europe in the first five months of 2025

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has published statistics on attempted illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders…

2025-07-08 | Redakcja | 3 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

ICEYE unveils machine learning-powered Flood Rapid Impact Product to revolutionize response

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE, a specialist in satellite-powered disaster management solutions, has announced the launch of Flood Rapid Impact (FRI).

2025-07-15 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

LYOFOOD Pierogi Become First Polish Dish Eaten in Space

Yesterday, during a live broadcast from the International Space Station, our astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, together with Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy…

2025-07-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes
Shooting

Galvion’s Caiman Helmets from Gdańsk

Two weeks have passed since the memorable Monday, June 23, of this year. The emotions have settled, and the long…

2025-07-10 | Dariusz Borkowski | 9 minutes

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Upgraded Z8i Scope from SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Swarovski Optik, the Austrian optics manufacturer with nearly 80 years of tradition, has unveiled an upgraded version of its Z8i…

2025-07-03 | Mariusz Piwowar | 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

Galvion’s Caiman Helmets from Gdańsk

Two weeks have passed since the memorable Monday, June 23, of this year. The emotions have settled, and the long…

2025-07-10 | Dariusz Borkowski | 9 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

Galvion’s Caiman Helmets from Gdańsk

Two weeks have passed since the memorable Monday, June 23, of this year. The emotions have settled, and the long…

2025-07-10 | Dariusz Borkowski | 9 minutes

CZ Shooting Team athletes take home 13 medals from the CZ Extreme Euro Open

Sport shooters representing Ceska zbrojovka brought back six gold, four silver, and three bronze medals from Hodonice, along with four…

2025-07-04 | Redakcja | 4 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

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 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

Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 – Lightweight Magnifiers with Quality Optics

The Mepro MMX3 and MMX4, a new line of compact magnifiers from the Israeli manufacturer. How do they perform in practice and…

2025-06-27 | Krzysztof Ptak | 8 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

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 keel has been laid for the largest German missile frigate – Niedersachsen

At the NVL Group Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, located in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, a keel-laying ceremony took place for the first of four (with an option for two more) F126 type missile frigates.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, at the NVL Group Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, located in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, a keel-laying ceremony took place for the first of four (with an option for two more) F126 type missile frigates, attended by the German Federal Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius. The steel cutting took place on December 5 of last year. The general contractor for the program is the Dutch company Damen Naval, with its main German partner being Blohm+Voss, a company that is part of the NVL Group.

Photo: Sebastian Moldt, Bundeswehr

Among the most important guests at the ceremony, in addition to the Minister of Defense, were the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig, the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, and the Inspector of the Deutsche Marine, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack. It was also announced that the ship under construction will be named Niedersachsen – meaning “Lower Saxony”. The other three currently ordered vessels will be named Saarland, Bremen, and Thuringia.

The first ship is scheduled to be delivered to the purchaser in mid-2028, with the remaining three by 2032. If the German Ministry of Defense decides to order two additional ships, they will be delivered at a later date.

Roland Briene, Managing Director of Damen Naval: The keel laying of the first F126 frigate is a milestone in our cooperation between German and Dutch shipyards and a concrete example of European partnership. Together, we aim to provide the German Navy with the best possible ships. Damen is proud to contribute to this effort.

Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defense: By building the F126 frigate, we are ensuring the future operational readiness and assertiveness of the Navy in facing future challenges. The F126 can target ground, underwater, surface, and airborne threats using the latest weaponry. The current threat situation shows us how important deterrence and defense are in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, as well as in the world’s oceans. With the F126, the Navy will have the precisely right tool to fulfill these tasks, including within NATO.

Stephan Weil, Prime Minister of Lower Saxony: It is a special honor for the state of Lower Saxony that the first ship of the new type, the F126 frigate, will sail under the name Niedersachsen. By sponsoring this ship, we are continuing a long and good tradition that underscores the special ties between Lower Saxony and the Navy. A symbol of this bond is, among other things, the fact that Wilhelmshaven is home to Germany’s largest naval base. The construction of the Niedersachsen ships will ensure that northern Germany remains an important location for the construction of surface ships and key maritime technologies. I wish the shipyards in Wolgast, Kiel, and Hamburg continued success during the construction period!

Manuela Schwesig, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: By building the stern sections of four frigates, the Peene shipyard is participating in the largest shipbuilding contract in the history of the German Navy: the Dutch-German cooperation project with a contract value exceeding 5 billion euros. The order secures jobs at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast. The state government has always supported the shipyard because, even in difficult times, we were convinced that the maritime economy is an important industrial sector. Shipyards, suppliers, ports, industrial manufacturers right at the waterfront – this is the industrial heart of our country.

Tim Wagner, CEO of NVL Group: The general contractor Damen and we have worked with certainty and under great pressure for years to ensure that the F126 program could be realized. Our German locations at Blohm+Voss and the Peene-Werft shipyard in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a production site are two important pillars of our shipbuilding group, employing an excellent and highly committed workforce. At the same time, the shipyards create important industrial jobs, thereby strengthening the regional economy and offering young talent exciting future prospects. But above all, they create identity and cohesion. And we are particularly proud of that.

Image: Damen Naval

F126

The ships were previously known under the working title MKS 180 (Mehrzweckkampfschiff 180). On June 19, 2020, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding announced the signing of a contract worth approximately 4.6 billion EUR with the German Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the construction of four F126 type missile frigates. The delivery of the first ship was initially scheduled for 2027, but the current timeline indicates a one-year delay. The entire procurement program is estimated at 5.27 billion EUR.

Most of the work will be carried out at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg. The stern sections will be built by the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, while the bow sections will be constructed and integrated by German Naval Yards Kiel in Kiel. The sections will then be sent to Hamburg for outfitting, followed by shipyard trials and acceptance tests.

Subcontractors for the program include companies such as Thales, Hensoldt, and OSI Maritime Systems. The latter will provide Integrated Bridge Management Systems (IBMS) based on the Electronic Chart Precise, Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS). Thales will supply the Tacticos Combat Management System (CMS) and APAR Block 2 radars, while Hensoldt will provide the main sensors, including the multifunction TRS-4D AESA 3D radars, which will enable air and missile defense tasks.

Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius and Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Manuela Schwesig

The ships will be 166 meters long, 21.7 meters wide, and have a draft of 5.9 meters. The full displacement will be 10,550 tons, making them the largest German line ships. The CODLAG (Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas Turbine) propulsion system will provide a maximum speed of up to 26 knots and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots. The crew will consist of 114 officers and sailors, with the capacity to accommodate an additional 84 people. The ships will have an endurance of 21 days.

The armament will include two 8-cell modules of the universal Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) for RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block 2 and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2, launchers for NSM (Naval Strike Missile) Block 1A anti-ship missiles, two 27mm MLG 27-4.0 automatic cannons, a 127mm OTO Melara 127/64 LW Vulcano automatic cannon, and four 12.7mm LIONFISH 12.7 Top remote weapon systems. The ships will carry NHI NH90 MRFH (Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter), designated as Sea Tiger, in the hangar, two rigid-hulled inflatable boats, 20-foot containers, and unmanned underwater, surface, and aerial vehicles.

The ships will be capable of carrying out missions related to electromagnetic signals intelligence. A distinctive feature will be their modularity, allowing for a wide range of operations and high automation of onboard systems.

X