Defence & Space

Hanwha to Showcase Next-Generation Artillery and Air-Defense Solutions at IDEX 2025

Hanwha will present a range of cutting-edge defense capabilities at IDEX 2025, under the theme of ‘Driving Innovation with Partners.

2025-02-13 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Over 20 participants interested in consultations for the modernization of the Polish corvette Ślązak

In response to questions from the MILMAG Portal editorial team, the Social Communication Department of the Armament Agency provided information about…

2025-02-13 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

The first FA-50PL will be ready in 2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) presented the current progress on the Polish version of the FA-50 aircraft at their facility in…

2024-12-30 | Jakub Link-Lenczowski | 8 minutes

Estonia’s Defense Industry – Small but Innovative

Despite its small size, the Republic of Estonia is among the countries that prioritize innovative solutions across various sectors of…

2024-12-19 | Redakcja | 6 minutes

Over 20 participants interested in consultations for the modernization of the Polish corvette Ślązak

In response to questions from the MILMAG Portal editorial team, the Social Communication Department of the Armament Agency provided information about…

2025-02-13 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

The 3,000th Piorun Man-Portable Air-Defense System, manufactured by Mesko

Mesko, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), has announced the production of the 3,000th unit of the Piorun MANPADS…

2025-02-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Elbit Systems to provide JNDFC Center for a European Country

Elbit Systems awarded contracts totaling approximately $100 million to provide Joint National Digital Fires Command Center for a European country.

2025-02-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Rheinmetall and Hologate sign strategic cooperation agreement for XR and VR simulation solutions

Rheinmetall and Hologate announce the start of a strategic cooperation. The aim is to develop innovative simulation solutions. Both companies combine expertise…

2024-12-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Hanwha to Showcase Next-Generation Artillery and Air-Defense Solutions at IDEX 2025

Hanwha will present a range of cutting-edge defense capabilities at IDEX 2025, under the theme of ‘Driving Innovation with Partners.

2025-02-13 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

WB Group and Larsen & Toubro sign a cooperation agreement

WB Group and the Indian company Larsen & Toubro signed a cooperation declaration at the Aero India 2025 exhibition in Bengaluru,…

2025-02-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Hanwha to Showcase Next-Generation Artillery and Air-Defense Solutions at IDEX 2025

Hanwha will present a range of cutting-edge defense capabilities at IDEX 2025, under the theme of ‘Driving Innovation with Partners.

2025-02-13 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The 3,000th Piorun Man-Portable Air-Defense System, manufactured by Mesko

Mesko, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), has announced the production of the 3,000th unit of the Piorun MANPADS…

2025-02-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Half a million landings and 125,000 flight hours of Polish Medical Air Rescue’s helicopters

The fleet of Airbus H135 rescue helicopters, belonging to Polish Medical Air Rescue, has reached half a million landings and surpassed a total…

2025-02-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

The Police ordered bulletproof vests and a mobile shooting range

The National Police Headquarters signed a contract with Lubawa Group for the delivery of a batch of integrated bulletproof vests, while the…

2025-01-08 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Hanwha to Showcase Next-Generation Artillery and Air-Defense Solutions at IDEX 2025

Hanwha will present a range of cutting-edge defense capabilities at IDEX 2025, under the theme of ‘Driving Innovation with Partners.

2025-02-13 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Over 20 participants interested in consultations for the modernization of the Polish corvette Ślązak

In response to questions from the MILMAG Portal editorial team, the Social Communication Department of the Armament Agency provided information about…

2025-02-13 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Latvia: Production of Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers for Ukraine

During the visit of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia, Anatolii Kutsevol, to the Defence Partnership Latvia plant in Valmiera, the production…

2025-02-06 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Protection of Underwater Infrastructure in the Baltic Sea

Over the past three months, incidents involving damage to underwater transmission infrastructure in the Baltic Sea have been multiplying. Since late…

2025-01-31 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Bonus Food Project: Meals from Kielce-Based Company LYOFOOD Are Heading to Space

As part of the first Polish mission to the International Space Station, the Kielce-based company LYOFOOD, in collaboration with the European…

2025-02-10 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Agreement Between Radmor and SpaceForest

The companies Radmor (part of the WB Group) and SpaceForest from Gdynia have signed a cooperation agreement, establishing a partnership between the…

2025-01-24 | Redakcja | 2 minutes
Shooting

Helikon-Tex at Enforce Tac 2025 Trade Fair

From February 24 to 26, 2025, the Polish company Helikon-Tex will showcase its product range and new releases at the Enforce…

2025-02-12 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 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

Black Week at Clawgear

The Black Week promotion at Clawgear runs until December 2, 2024. The more you add to your cart, the bigger the…

2024-11-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 1 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

Helikon-Tex at Enforce Tac 2025 Trade Fair

From February 24 to 26, 2025, the Polish company Helikon-Tex will showcase its product range and new releases at the Enforce…

2025-02-12 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The Vanguard is a uniform set from the Polish brand Direct Action, designed in collaboration with special forces soldiers. There are…

2025-01-19 | Michał Gaweł | 18 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

The tests of MSBS Grot S16

The MSBS Grot S16 FB-M1 is a semi-automatic variant of the standard assault rifle used by the Polish Armed Forces and law…

2024-11-18 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

The GROT BS10 FB-M1 BULLPUP is hitting the market!

Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom is launching the GROT BS10 FB-M1 BULLPUP, a 5.56 mm semi-automatic bullpup rifle equipped with a short 10.5-inch (267…

2024-09-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 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

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

Firearms ownership in Poland, 2022: growth in the year of war

National Police Headquarters released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and individual firearms owned by Polish citizens. It can be…

2023-03-14 | Redakcja | 3 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

TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The Vanguard is a uniform set from the Polish brand Direct Action, designed in collaboration with special forces soldiers. There are…

2025-01-19 | Michał Gaweł | 18 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

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

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 absolutely crucial. Properly chosen light is not just a support tool; it often becomes a decisive factor in the success of a mission. Among the essential tools is weapon-mounted light, which provides operators not only with a tactical advantage but also with confidence in their actions and safety. Illuminating the area, precise target identification, and support in dynamic situations are just a few of the functions that make weapon-mounted light an indispensable component of any operational unit’s equipment, as well as for formations tasked with maintaining public order.

Situational awareness

Operations, maneuvers, and exercises do not always take place under favorable lighting conditions and often require action in the dark, at night, or in enclosed, dimly lit spaces. An adversary might try to use the cover of darkness as a tactical advantage.

Weapon-mounted light allows the operator to effectively conduct operations in such conditions, ensuring confident action without the need to take hands off the weapon. It provides better situational awareness, quick identification of threats, and precise targeting. As a result, operators can act with greater situational awareness, minimizing the risk of accidental shootings.

Source: Mactronic.pl (unless noted otherwise)

Operational efficiency

In combat conditions, reaction speed can determine the success of an operation. Weapon-mounted light allows the operator to immediately target threats, significantly reducing reaction time. This enables operators to act with full concentration, keeping both hands on the weapon without wasting time manipulating separate devices.

Improved visibility leads to faster and more precise decision-making, which enhances operational efficiency. Such integration of tools increases the fluidity of action, which is crucial in dynamic environments where every second counts. The result is higher effectiveness and safety for the entire unit.

Author: Karol Szczęśniak

Psychological advantage and disorientation of the opponent

Weapon-mounted light can have a strong psychophysical effect on the opponent, disorienting them and limiting their ability to assess the situation. Sudden and intense light can blind the enemy, making it difficult for them to pick targets and forcing them to defend in unfavorable conditions. This tactic gives the operator valuable time to take a better position and gain control of the situation.

Stroboscopic light further increases the opponent’s stress, potentially reducing their effectiveness. As a result, weapon-mounted light not only supports tactical actions but also serves as a tool of advantage that can prevent conflict escalation without the immediate need for the use of force.

Improving safety

In military operations, where stress and uncertainty are constant factors, the safety of the operator is of paramount importance. Weapon-mounted light significantly enhances the sense of control over the environment, allowing the user to identify potential threats even in darkness.

This enables the operator to make informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidental discharge and incidents involving friendly fire. The use of such light boosts confidence in action, which in turn improves the effectiveness and safety of the entire operation.

Author: Karol Szczęśniak

How to Choose Weapon-Mounted Light

There are four key criteria to consider when choosing a weapon-mounted flashlight.

1. Light Parameters

When choosing weapon-mounted light, the key parameters to consider are lumens and candela. Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted. However, it’s important to remember that a high lumen value is not sufficient without an appropriate amount of candela, which determines the directional intensity and range of the light.

Additionally, the shape of the light beam is equally important. A focused beam is effective for long-range use, allowing you to illuminate targets at greater distances, while a wider beam shape enhances situational awareness by illuminating a larger area.

In Close Quarters Battle (CQB) situations, where operations take place in confined spaces, a flashlight with a brightness of 300-500 lumens is sufficient to illuminate the surroundings without risking disorienting the operator. In such conditions, it is crucial that the light does not cause glare and does not hinder situational assessment. On the other hand, in open terrain operations, where targets are at a greater distance, a flashlight with a brightness of over 500 lumens becomes essential for effective action. Choosing the right weapon-mounted lighting is vital for safety and operational effectiveness.

Andrzej Wojtusik, an expert from Mactronic Group, a manufacturer of tactical lights.

2. Design and durability

The flashlight must be resistant to shocks, water, and dust—this is essential for operation in harsh conditions. A solid construction made from materials like aircraft-grade aluminum and composite plastics ensures the device’s longevity and reliability.

3. Mounting options

Flashlights should be compatible with various mounting systems to ensure stability and ease of use. Popular mounting systems, such as Picatinny and M-LOK, must be suitable for the specific weapon model, allowing for seamless operation. Ease of mounting and dismounting is crucial so that operators can adjust the equipment to changing operational conditions.

4. Switch options

The flashlight should be easy to operate and should not interfere with weapon use. The light is typically activated using a button on the body or a tape switch that can be placed in a convenient location. The switch should be easily detectable, even when wearing gloves, and having too many illumination modes is not desirable in combat situations. Additionally, the flashlight can be equipped with colored filters, increasing its flexibility in various scenarios.

A headlamp is no longer enough

And how does it work in practice? In Poland, especially within the special units of the Ministry of National Defense (MON) and the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA), we observe significant progress in equipment, including the adaptation of flashlights for long and short firearms. This is a positive sign, indicating a growing focus on safety and operational effectiveness. The military, engaged in border defense, actively conducts night patrols in cooperation with the Border Guard, which helps build trust and collaboration between the services.

While in the past, the use of standard flashlights, such as headlamps, might have seemed sufficient, practice teaches us that specialized equipment is essential. The introduction of tactical flashlights with powerful LEDs, reaching up to 3000 lumens, brings significant benefits. Their focused light allows for precise illumination of targets at long distances, which in practice increases the effectiveness of soldiers’ actions.

Mounting a flashlight on the weapon’s fore-end not only does not affect accuracy but also allows for the quick activation and deactivation of the light in critical moments, which can be crucial during a change of position.

Safety standards on duty

The situation is similar in the police force. Many interventions, even those that seem simple, such as stopping a vehicle for inspection, often take place at night and in difficult lighting conditions. Poland is one of the safest countries, but even here, crisis situations can occur.

Good flashlights mounted on handguns enable officers to simultaneously illuminate the target and keep the weapon ready. This, in turn, allows for effective situational awareness and the identification of potential threats. In this way, properly chosen equipment becomes not just a tool but also a support in daily service, offering hope for further improvements in safety standards.

For over 35 years, Mactronic has been providing modern tactical lights that support the Polish military and other armed forces. Our experience and close collaboration with users allow us to create solutions that enhance safety in the most challenging situations. I am pleased to announce the introduction of a new series of lights for handguns, Hussar, which has been designed with specific operational needs in mind. I believe that our innovations will help achieve even more effective performance on the battlefield, providing the advantage that every operator needs.

Maciej Mocek, president of Mactronic Group.

When danger emerges in the dark

Weapon-mounted light plays a crucial role in operations conducted in low-light conditions, enhancing situational awareness, accuracy, and providing a psychophysical advantage. Its proper selection, taking into account the right features and design, can be decisive for the success of a mission and the safety of operators. In a world where unpredictability and threats can emerge in the dark, weapon-mounted light becomes an essential tool that supports forces in their daily challenges.

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