On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Canadian company Galvion, which specializes in the design and manufacture of innovative head-protection systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, announced that its European and NATO manufacturing facility in Gdańsk had become a major center of excellence within 12 months of its official opening.
Photo: Galvion
Construction of Galvion’s facility in Gdańsk was first announced in September 2023, completed in June 2024, and fully commissioned in April 2025. The facility was officially opened on June 23, 2025, by Her Excellency Catherine Godin, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Poland.
The facility represents a significant investment that has substantially strengthened Galvion’s regional support and service strategy. With its manufacturing and support capabilities, Galvion serves its extensive European and NATO customer base from a geographically aligned center of excellence (Caimans from Gdańsk).
Since its official opening in June last year, Galvion’s Gdańsk manufacturing facility has quickly become a cornerstone of the company’s European and NATO operations. In just 12 months, the site has grown to employ more than 100 people and has shipped over 90,000 ballistic helmets to NATO allies, serving customers in 10 NATO and partner countries worldwide, including in Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. With an annual production capacity of 100,000 helmets on a single-shift basis, the facility is delivering significant volumes and has established a strong manufacturing position in Europe, strengthening supply-chain resilience and enabling closer cooperation with customers. Continued investment in advanced technologies, automation, and expanded manufacturing capabilities underscores Galvion’s long-term commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and supporting the evolving needs of defense and security partners in Europe and beyond.
Following further contracts from key European countries, including under a framework agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Galvion expects that nearly 2 million of its helmets will be in service across NATO and other European countries by the end of 2026. The Polish facility provides helmet finishing and assembly capabilities, as well as key support, maintenance, refurbishment, upgrade, and training services. Galvion’s main facilities in Canada and the United States continue to design, develop, manufacture, and support domestic, regional, and key global programs and customers, while also meeting broader production and support requirements.
Building on its established leadership in ballistic head protection, Galvion is now expanding the role of the helmet as the foundation of an integrated soldier system. Its latest Cortex Evo and Evo HALO helmet-mounted system technologies enable power, communications, and digital data-processing capabilities to be integrated directly at the operator level into both in-service and newly manufactured helmets, providing armed forces with a pathway to modernize equipment already in use. As these capabilities are introduced into European programs, Galvion’s Gdańsk facility is positioned to support both new production and the upgrade, refurbishment, and integration of in-service helmets, further strengthening its role as a regional center of excellence.
Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman at Galvion, said:
“When we invested in Poland, our objective was never simply to build another manufacturing facility. We wanted to establish a long-term operational centre that could serve our European and NATO customers with local production, sustainment, modernization and technical support. One year later, the team has exceeded our expectations and demonstrated exactly what that model can achieve.”
He continued: “Looking ahead, the opportunity is even greater. As soldiers become increasingly connected, the helmet is evolving into the platform that brings together protection, power, data and digital capability. Our vision is to help customers not only procure next-generation integrated systems but also upgrade equipment already in service. Gdańsk will play a central role in delivering that capability across Europe for many years to come.”
Press release
See also:
- Canada Orders Additional Batlskin Caiman Helmets from Galvion
- Galvion Unveils the Ultralight Hellbender UL Helmet
- Galvion Expands ‘Charge on the Move’ Capability with Vehicle and Dismounted Integration Solutions
- Galvion to Supply NATO with Over 250,000 Caiman Ballistic Helmets
- Galvion introduces Batlskin Caiman Ultra-Light Helmet at AUSA 2025