Some articles or their parts may be translated by machine or artificial intelligence from Polish to English.

Poland will not send its troops to Ukraine – it has also taken on the burden of protecting the NATO border

On 12 December 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron paid a short visit to Warsaw, where he met with President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Observers in France emphasize that Macron’s visit is intended to strengthen cooperation with Poland in the context of talks on an agreement, among other things, on the joint construction of small nuclear power plants and a common position of our countries on the free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc of Mercosur countries. On the other hand, the French president raised the issue of the possible sending of stabilization peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. According to French commentators, the European Union must do everything to ensure that Donald Trump does not end up with all the cards in his hand and that European countries have a significant say in the future of Ukraine.

In the matter of the possible sending of Polish troops to guard the buffer zone in Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron heard a firm no in Poland.

– I want to put an end to speculations about the potential presence of troops of this or that country in Ukraine after reaching a ceasefire or peace. For now, we are not planning such actions. Decisions regarding Polish actions will be made in Warsaw and only in Warsaw – said Donald Tusk after the meeting with Macron. He added that we will cooperate with France – and not only – on solutions that will primarily secure Europe, as well as Ukraine, from renewing the conflict, if an agreement on a ceasefire and possibly peace can be reached. He also pointed out that other countries must realize that Poland has also taken on the burden of protecting the NATO border.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calls for switching to war mode

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned of the threats facing Europe and NATO and called on 12 December 2024, during a conference organised by the think tank Carnegie Europe Rutte, for European countries to switch to war mode and increase defence production and spending.

– We are not ready for what awaits us in four to five years – Rutte said.

Rutte stressed that the threat from Russia is long-term, pointing to its preparations for a long-term confrontation with both Ukraine and NATO. He pointed to Russia’s growing military spending, which is expected to reach 7–8% of GDP in 2025, the highest level since the Cold War. Russian arms factories are producing war equipment around the clock, and Russia is rebuilding its forces much faster.

In addition to the threat from Russia, the NATO Secretary General also drew attention to China’s ambitions, which is increasing its forces, including nuclear weapons. Beijing plans to increase the number of its nuclear warheads from 200 in 2020 to over 1,000 by 2030.

Although the NATO Secretary General assured that there is no direct military threat to the 32 members of the Alliance, he expressed concern about the future.

He also stressed the need to increase arms production, as the European defense industry has been weakened by decades of underinvestment. Regarding defense spending, Rutte noted that it is currently higher than a decade ago, but still significantly lower than during the Cold War.

– If we do not spend more together now to prevent war, we will pay a much, much, much higher price later to fight it – Rutte said.

APS in the TOP 10 fastest growing technology companies in Central Europe

Advanced Protection Systems (APS) has been recognized in this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2024 ranking, the results of which have just been announced. APS is in the Top 10. The ranking recognizes the company’s constant focus on innovation, excellence and development in the rapidly changing world of technology.

– We are particularly proud to be part of an elite group of Polish companies that set new standards in dynamically developing global markets – emphasizes Jacek Duliński, Marketing Director at APS. – The technology sector in Poland is growing at an impressive pace, and this distinction confirms that our innovative airspace protection solutions not only meet the needs of today’s market, but also shape its future.

Each company applying for the main category of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe competition must have been in existence for at least four years – entities established before 31 December 2019, have intellectual property or technology sold to customers in products that constitute the majority of the company’s operating revenues, achieve certain minimum revenues and be headquartered in one of the following countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia or Ukraine (see the full results of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2024 ranking https://www.deloitte.com/ce/en/industries/technology/research/technology-fast-50.html).

VIGO Photonics is the “Innovation Diamond” of 2024

VIGO Photonics – a global leader in the infrared detector market – was recognized as the “Innovative Company of the Year” during this year’s “Innovation Diamonds 2024” gala, which was part of the 12th edition of the Executive Innovation Forum and took place at The Westin Warsaw hotel.

The event brought together key business representatives from organizations that develop and effectively implement new technologies and innovations.

– The title of “Innovative Company of the Year” for VIGO Photonics is another confirmation that our activities for the development of innovative technologies are noticed and appreciated on the Polish market – said Adam Piotrowski, president of VIGO Photonics, who received the statuette. He dedicated this distinction to all teachers and trainers who share the idea of ​​science with true passion, thus contributing to the creation of innovative solutions and technologies.

“Innovation Diamonds” are statuettes that aim to distinguish the best companies, outstanding managers and business leaders who implement new technologies and innovations. The winners must also distinguish themselves with their commitment to the economic development of the country and special attention to the highest standards of leadership. The “Innovation Diamonds” Gala is organized by the Executive Club.

Trophy active vehicle protection systems for German Leopard tanks

EuroTrophy GmbH has received an order from KNDS Deutschland for the delivery of Trophy HV active vehicle protection systems for 123 German Leopard 2A8 tanks. The number of users of such solutions is growing. However, Poland is not among them (on Rafael’s offers for the Polish army, watch an interview with Igal Halemski).

The contract also includes initial spare parts packages and services – in order to successfully integrate them into the technical, operational and logistic chain of the land forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is the second major order for EuroTrophy in the last 12 months – after the Norwegian Army selected the Trophy HV system for the future Leopard 2A8NO (learn more about APS TROPHY in the interview with Ehud (Udi) Nir).

– We are convinced that Trophy will be the first choice for many other NATO and European users who want to equip their fleets of tanks and IFVs with a European active protection system – emphasized Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of EuroTrophy.

Trophy dla Bundeswehry. fot. Rafael ADS

It is very likely that the next users of these systems will also be the Czech Republic (56 units), the Kingdom of the Netherlands (46 units with an option for 6 more), Lithuania (54 units) and Croatia (approx. 50 units). These systems have already been installed in the American Abrams and the modernized British Challenger 3.

Finally, some information about what an active protection system like Trophy HV can do. It is a “hard kill” system, which neutralizes threats kinetically by destroying incoming missiles. It consists of four Elta EL/M-2133 WindGuard radars operating in the F and G bands. The system detects threats around the protected vehicle and the launcher of two MEFP (Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator) effectors, control systems and software, and effectively neutralizes them.

It can destroy anti-tank guided missiles fired from anti-tank grenade launchers and other types of ATGM launchers, such as the latest Russian 9M133 Kornet, and now also unmanned aerial vehicles, thus increasing the survivability of armored vehicle crews on the battlefield.

During the AUSA 2024 exhibition in Washington, Rafael, the Israeli manufacturer of these systems, announced that the Trophy system can also combat aerial drones. The system is constantly being modernized to respond to new threats, both in terms of anti-tank weapons and drones.

Polish drones from the WB Group flew to Malaysia

As reported on 12 December 2024 by the CEO of the WB Group, Piotr Wojciechowski – the WB Group delivered the first batch of FlyEye unmanned aerial systems to Malaysia. The Polish design, designed by Flytronic – a Gliwice-based company of the WB Group – is one of the most advanced drones in its class. Malaysian soldiers have also been trained in operating the drones at training facilities located in Silesia.

FlyEye unmanned aerial systems have been supplied to the armed forces for almost 15 years. The first user in the world was the Polish Special Forces, which still uses a large number of reconnaissance platforms designed by the Gliwice-based company Flytronic.

The twelve-kilogram FlyEye systems are used by the Polish Army, including the Territorial Defense Forces, as well as the armed forces and uniformed services of several countries. Since 2015, FlyEye family UAVs have been delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Polish designs have proven themselves in the most difficult conditions – during a high-intensity conflict. They are characterized by one of the highest survivability rates of all UAV systems used in the war in Ukraine.

FlyEye dla Malezji. fot. Grupa WB

One set includes several airframes equipped with interchangeable task modules, transceiver stations and command and control systems. FlyEye has the ability to exchange reconnaissance data with the Topaz combat management system, a national solution used by the Polish Rocket and Artillery Forces. In March 2024, Grupa WB announced the delivery of the thousandth FlyEye unmanned system in version 3.x. The basic task module is equipped with a movable observation head with two cameras: day and thermal imaging. A module with only a thermal imaging camera is also available, designed for night operations. The reconnaissance functions of the unmanned vehicle can be extended with signal retransmission when the module is supplemented by a PERAD radio station. This significantly increases the communication range of land forces units equipped with personal radio stations, up to one hundred kilometers, creating a “virtual mast”.

Korean soldiers storm Ukrainian positions in Kursk Oblast – suffer losses

As the vile BBC News agency, citing Ukrainian military sources, has issued orders to Ukrainian armed forces units that have taken control of part of the Kursk Oblast occupied by Russia to hold the occupied territory until the end of January, when President-elect Donald Trump comes to power in the United States.

Currently, Ukrainians still control over 700 square kilometers of land in Kursk Oblast. In August 2024, Ukrainian troops captured over 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory in this region. However, North Korean soldiers have appeared on the front. There may already be about 15,000 of them in Russia. As President Volodymyr Zelensky said, Russia is deploying a significant number of North Korean soldiers in military operations in Kursk Oblast. They are sent to joint units there. For now, they are being used in Kursk Oblast. However, we have information that they may also be used on other sections of the front. Losses among them are already noticeable.

Pro-government economists warn that Russian companies will face a wave of bankruptcies

Russia claims that Western sanctions have no impact on its economy. On the contrary, they have forced domestic production of many previously unproduced material goods, which were imported. However, the state of the economy does not seem as rosy as the local propaganda claims. Experts from the TsMAKP think tank, which is close to the government, conducted an analysis of data on over 300,000 Russian companies from 2019-2023. They took into account, among other things, interest costs related to loans and rental costs, pointing to high interest rates and inflation.

In their assessment, the percentage of companies in financial difficulties increased in 2024 from 12.3 to 37.2%. According to The Moscow Times, every fourth company is unable to service its debt. Analysts say that next year the number of potential bankruptcies will increase to 12.2%. They also point out that the standard delay between a deterioration in conditions and an increase in the number of bankruptcies is between 6 and 12 months. In their opinion, this means that the peak of bankruptcies could fall in the second quarter of 2025. The risk of bankruptcies is reported by, among others, airlines, owners of shopping malls, car dealers, road construction companies and miners.

French long-range missiles will bomb targets in Russia – Ukraine will receive another batch of them

Gael Veyssiere, the French ambassador to Ukraine, confirmed that his country intends to continue to supply Ukraine with SCALP long-range cruise missiles, although they do not have many of them themselves. He added that despite this, France will do everything in its power and send new SCALP missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that military facilities located on Russian territory are legitimate targets for Ukrainians, and therefore France will not impose restrictions on attacking them.

An incredible weapon in the British army – it impresses with its effectiveness, and one shot costs… a złoty

The British army has begun test firing a new weapon – the high-energy laser system (HELWS) from Raytheon. It is to effectively destroy swarms of drones. Laser weapons are to be part of a strategy to rebuild the power of the armed forces, which in recent years have shrunk to the lowest level in history and today the British army is smaller than at any time since the Napoleonic Wars.

That is why soon ships and military vehicles will be equipped with weapons emitting deadly rays. Laser weapons are to help restore the military strength of the army. For the first time, regular British army units from 16 Royal Artillery used laser weapons mounted on an armored fighting vehicle Wolfdhound (Wolfhound) at the Radnor Range training ground in Wales to attack multiple air targets. The results of the tests were impressive. It was reported that the effectiveness of this weapon in the fight against swarms of drones was impressive. The Wolfhound shot at the speed of light, so it was able to hit many targets in a short time, and at the same time it had no problem with limited ammunition. The English calculated that one shot from the laser (in Polish currency) costs … one złoty (0.25 dollars).