{"id":82040,"date":"2026-05-08T14:46:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/defence24-days-lukasiewicz-research-network-increases-the-share-of-defence-projects-more-than-fivefold\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T12:45:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T10:45:09","slug":"defence24-days-lukasiewicz-research-network-increases-the-share-of-defence-projects-more-than-fivefold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/defence24-days-lukasiewicz-research-network-increases-the-share-of-defence-projects-more-than-fivefold\/","title":{"rendered":"Defence24 Days: \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network increases the share of defence projects more than fivefold"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u0141ukasiewicz Research Network is actively strengthening Poland\u2019s security. In 2023, the share of projects carried out by \u0141ukasiewicz in the field of defence and security stood at just over 12 percent. In 2026, it is already close to 70 percent, said Dr Hubert Cichocki, President of \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network, during the 8th edition of the Defence24 Days conference, held in Warsaw on 6\u20137 May.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As Dr Cichocki noted, over the past two years the institutes forming the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network have focused their activities on research and development projects supporting national defence and security.\u201cOn the one hand, we want to support the emerging and growing Polish defence industry and Polish companies operating in this sector. On the other hand, we want to support Poland\u2019s security, including its fundamental military security,\u201d he emphasised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pointed to the use of the broad competences of \u0141ukasiewicz institutes \u2014 from chemistry and materials engineering to special electronics and biotechnology \u2014 for the needs of the defence sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExamples include projects related to modern ceramic materials for the defence industry or chemical solutions supporting the functionality of ammunition,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debate on the development of the Polish defence industry<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The head of \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network took part, among others, in a debate on the model and development of the Polish defence industry. He was joined by Konrad Go\u0142ota, Deputy Minister of State Assets; Major General Artur Kuptel, Head of the Armament Agency; and representatives of the defence industry: Adam Leszkiewicz, President of the Polish Armaments Group, and Piotr Wojciechowski, President of WB Group. The participants discussed the conditions necessary to build a coherent industrial ecosystem capable of competing on global markets and securing national needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the debate, Dr Cichocki emphasised that the increase in defence spending and programmes such as SAFE create a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the defence industry and the research and development sector. He noted that the defence industry is characterised by the highest R&D intensity of all sectors, with research and development expenditure reaching around 15 percent of the sector\u2019s value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn response to new market needs, over the past two years we have carried out a deep transformation of \u0141ukasiewicz\u2019s project portfolio. In 2023, projects related to defence and security accounted for around 12.5 percent of all initiatives being implemented. Today, their share exceeds 67 percent,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the scale of individual research and development projects had also increased significantly. \u201cThe average value of subsidy-funded projects in the defence sector has risen from PLN 0.5 million in 2023 to around PLN 2.5 million today. This means a fivefold increase in project value and a concentration of resources on larger and more advanced initiatives,\u201d the head of \u0141ukasiewicz stressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his view, a particularly important undertaking is the ten-year strategic space research programme launched for the first time in the organisation\u2019s history. \u201cThe programme covers three main areas: launch technologies, satellite construction and the development of components used in space,\u201d Dr Cichocki said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space technologies of \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As Dr Eng. Adam Okni\u0144ski, Plenipotentiary for Space Technologies at \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Institute of Aviation, noted, the largest share of capital expenditure and resources has been directed precisely towards launch technologies, which will be used both by the Polish defence industry and the developing space sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe aim is to develop Polish solutions that will allow us to become independent of foreign entities,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the space research programme involves 17 of the 22 institutes forming the Network. \u201cA number of these institutes already have a strong portfolio in the development of satellite and rocket systems. \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Institute of Aviation has the pleasure of leading this cooperation,\u201d Okni\u0144ski said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also emphasised that the undertaking involves a range of private and public-sector entities connected both with civilian space technologies and defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Eng. Adam Okni\u0144ski also recalled the BURSZTYN project, which involves the construction and development of a suborbital rocket. \u201cIt can reach the conventional boundary of space, flying more than 100 kilometres upwards, validate technology in flight and carry various research experiments,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the BURSZTYN rocket is the first rocket in the world to use a new type of environmentally friendly material: 98-percent hydrogen peroxide. \u201cAnd this is our Polish technology, which foreign designers have also begun to use,\u201d the expert noted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 PIAP develops unmanned technologies<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During Defence24 Days, Professor Eng. Piotr Szynkarczyk, Director of \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements PIAP, spoke about world-class domestic technical solutions, pointing to unmanned ground vehicle technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 PIAP, which is part of the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network, we have been developing ground robotics for a quarter of a century. It really began with a request from the police for a robot that could approach a bomb instead of a human and, if necessary, defuse it. We did that. Later, other services came forward, including the Border Guard and the State Fire Service, wanting to acquire robots that could replace humans in dangerous environments. Recent events around the world show that such unmanned ground vehicles are also needed by the military,\u201d Professor Szynkarczyk said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the war in Ukraine is now a clear example of this. \u201cThere is currently a frontline zone several dozen kilometres wide where only robots operate. There are no people there, so as not to put their lives at risk,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Szynkarczyk noted that in designing and building unmanned vehicles, \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 PIAP cooperates not only with other institutes of the Network, of which it is part, but also with institutions and companies outside \u0141ukasiewicz. \u201cThis is a task requiring many advanced technologies that must come together in order to build, for example, the PIAP GRYF mobile pyrotechnic robot, which is used, among other things, for reconnaissance in very difficult terrain,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the discussion on the modernisation of land forces, in which Professor Szynkarczyk took part, experts agreed that unmanned combat platforms are the future of the armed forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maritime drones are becoming increasingly popular<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another unmanned solution for defence was presented by Dr Hab. Grzegorz Gudzbeler, Director of \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Warsaw Institute of Technology. He introduced the modern Manta maritime drone, which can be used both for tasks related to the armed forces and defence, and in peacetime to monitor critical infrastructure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cManta is a response to both military and hybrid threats to critical infrastructure located at sea. One example is the huge offshore wind farm being built by ORLEN,\u201d the expert said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gudzbeler, who took part in a discussion on how to create an effective system for implementing R&D in the Polish Armed Forces, emphasised that \u0141ukasiewicz institutes are scientific units that carry out their tasks mainly as development work and implementation-oriented research at Technology Readiness Level 6, sometimes 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMeanwhile, reaching level 9, where we already have a finished and properly scaled product that can be purchased by the armed forces, requires close cooperation with industry,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his opinion, hubs are needed for this to happen. \u201cThey must include end users, such as the armed forces, industry players capable of scaling solutions, and scientific units such as \u0141ukasiewicz institutes, because they can provide modern products that are also ready for scaling,\u201d Director Gudzbeler stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added \u2014 as did many participants of Defence24 Days, including the Head of the Armament Agency, Major General Dr Artur Kuptel \u2014 that cooperation between scientific units, industry and the military is crucial. Together, these partners define what is needed to create even better technological solutions. According to him, innovation is the most important element shaping contemporary defence capabilities, not only in Poland but also in many other countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network stand attracted the attention of politicians and experts<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In addition to attending the speeches and debates, participants of the event could also visit the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network stand. Our experts presented defence solutions developed by 14 institutes. In addition to scientists, soldiers and military enthusiasts, we hosted key decision-makers. Among those who visited the stand were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence W\u0142adys\u0142aw Kosiniak-Kamysz, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia Robert Kali\u0148\u00e1k. Representatives of the Network also met with Deputy Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Krzysztof Bosak.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day, we hosted Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs; Stanis\u0142aw Wzi\u0105tek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence; and MEP Micha\u0142 Szczerba. In addition, \u0141ukasiewicz signed a cooperation agreement with Farada Group in the field of maritime unmanned systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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