Defence & Space

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

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

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 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

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 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

Russia: MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon Cancelled Again

The CEO of the Russian state corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, announced that the 16th MAKS-2025 International Aviation and Space Salon,…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 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

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

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

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 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

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 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

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | 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

Żmija Long Range Reconnaissance Vehicles on the Border with Belarus

On the Polish-Belarusian border, as part of Operation Safe Podlasie, the latest Żmija (Viper) Long Range Reconnaissance Vehicles from the 9th Warmian Reconnaissance Regiment have been deployed.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, the press service of the 18th Mechanized Division announced on social media that the latest Żmija Long-Range Reconnaissance Vehicles (PDR) from the 9th Warmian Reconnaissance Regiment, named after Col. Zygmunt Szendzielarz, aka “Łupaszka,” have been deployed to the Polish-Belarusian border as part of Operation Safe Podlasie.

Photos: Senior Corporal Sławomir Kozioł, 18th Mechanized Division

On August 1 of this year, the Polish Armed Forces launched an operation on the border codenamed Safe Podlasie (“Bezpieczne Podlasie“). The objective is to support the Border Guard with the involvement of military personnel. The operation aims to unify the command process and increase the involvement of the Armed Forces in border protection. The 18th Mechanized Division, led by Major General Arkadiusz Szkutnik, has taken command of the operation, with a total of 17,000 soldiers deployed to the area of responsibility. This operation replaces Operation Gryf and the forward training presence RENGAW, which together formed the Military Task Group (WZZ) Podlasie.

On July 10 of this year, during a press conference, Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła, stated:

As part of this operation, we will deploy up to 17,000 soldiers in two readiness categories. Approximately 8,000 soldiers will be stationed on-site, directly near the threat. The remaining soldiers will be kept on 48-hour standby, ready to be deployed in response to potential threats.

As announced by the 18th Mechanized Division on their Facebook page:

Active reconnaissance in the field is one of the key elements ensuring the success of all units supporting the Border Guard in protecting the state border during Operation Safe Podlasie. Soldiers of the 9th Warmian Reconnaissance Regiment are giving their all during the actions of the long-range reconnaissance company of Task Group Podlasie.

The 9th Warmian Reconnaissance Regiment, based in Lidzbark Warmiński, has deployed one of the Polish Armed Forces’ latest acquisitions, the Żmija Long Range Reconnaissance Vehicles.

The Żmija Long Range Reconnaissance Vehicle (PDR Żmija) is a version of the Concept LPU (Lekki Pojazd Uderzeniowy, Light Strike Vehicle) Wirus IV, delivered by a consortium of the Polish Defense Holding and the company Concept, based on a contract signed on September 6, 2017, valued at 90,712,500 PLN gross (73,750,000 PLN net), which was approximately 24.5 million USD gross at that time, for the Polish Armed Forces.

The first batch of 25 vehicles was received on December 7, 2021, and another batch of 35 vehicles was delivered on July 21, 2023. The contractors are still obligated to deliver an additional 58 Żmija vehicles. So far, the vehicles have been delivered to the 2nd Hrubieszów Reconnaissance Regiment, the 9th Warmian Reconnaissance Regiment, and the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań.

The vehicle has a permanent 4×4 drive system, characterized by excellent traction properties, designed and manufactured to meet the requirements for carrying out special tasks for the Armed Forces. It is equipped with a 2,442 cc R4 diesel engine with a maximum power output of 133 kW (178 hp). The engine runs on diesel fuel, is equipped with a turbocharger and an intercooler. The vehicle has a 6-speed manual transmission and one reverse gear. The body of the vehicle, supported by a frame with an integrated safety cage, is made of lightweight composites. The cabin, designed according to defense standards specifying ergonomics and functionality, is intended for 3 people (including the driver).

The vehicle is equipped with weapon mounts, including a roof-mounted turret that can accommodate 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns, as well as a 40 mm grenade launcher. It also has mounts for carrying 3 personal weapons for the crew and a mount for the commander’s 7.62 mm rifle. Additionally, the vehicle has blast-resistant flooring rated at level 1 according to STANAG 4569 Annex B and run-flat tires. Since the vehicle is intended for reconnaissance units, including airborne units, it can be airdropped using parachute.

During the 30th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in 2022, the company Concept presented its vision for the development of light vehicles, specifically the Wirus SOF. According to the concept, the Wirus vehicles are intended to become carriers for systems developed by the WB Group, such as FONET and TOPAZ.

At MSPO 2023, the Wirus was showcased armed with a remotely controlled weapon module, the ZMU-07, developed specifically for this vehicle by Arex, a company that is part of the WB Group. Additionally, the ATAX drop platform, produced by the British company Irvin GQ, was presented for use with this vehicle.

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