East Front News #41: Airbus in Poland; Record Orders for PGZ

Poland delivered 100 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.

Poland has delivered 100 million rounds of various types of ammunition to Ukraine, according to a summary prepared by the PM’s Office.

On the occasion of the meeting summarizing the year of work by the Council for Aid to Kyiv, the PM’s Office compiled an overview of assistance to Ukraine. It covers various areas—from humanitarian and logistical aid to military support. The data show that up to July 2024 some 44 military aid packages, worth a total of €4 billion, had been handed over to Kyiv. „Tens of thousands” of Ukrainian soldiers have also been trained.

Record Orders for PGZ. We Know the Numbers

Last year, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish Armaments Group, PGZ) signed contracts worth more than PLN 120 billion in total. This marks a record-breaking result in the group’s entire history.

As PGZ management representatives revealed during a press breakfast, 2024 was a record year in terms of the contracts signed by the group. Contracts were concluded for a total of PLN 120 billion, meaning that new orders for the Polish defense industry reached the equivalent of over EUR 25 billion last year.

More Money for Modernization. Bejda On Orka, F-16, Heavy IFV and Changes in Financing

In the Orka programme there is no „short list,” and the publication of such a document is not planned. „We care about the development of the Polish defence industry,” emphasizes State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Paweł Bejda, in an interview with Defence24.pl.

We asked Minister Bejda about the funding of the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces; the programmes include: Borsuk, Rosomak, CBWP \[Heavy IFV\], K9PL, Homar-A and Homar-K, the modernization of the F‑16, providing the FA‑50PL with American missiles, the potential purchase of Airbus aircraft, negotiations regarding K2PL tanks, ammunition programs, and many other projects.

New Player in Poland's Armored Programme (DEFENCE24 EXCLUSIVE)

Poland’s Heavy IFV programme pursued by the Polish Armed Forces has hit a turning point. The Ministry of Defence (MON) emphasizes that the fast implementation of this project is one of its priorities. According to unofficial information obtained by Defence24.pl, a new player has joined the group of bidders – one that possesses a vehicle whose production is now being accelerated.

Russian air attacks on Sumy

On April 13, the Russian Federation used ballistic missiles to strike the Ukrainian city of Sumy. As a result of the attacks, 35 people were killed and 125 people (including children) were injured. It was the bloodiest attack on a Ukrainian city in 2025 and one of the most tragic since February 2022. Russian missiles hit the university building, where the commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade was allegedly killed. The deliberate aiming of a Russian missile at residential buildings was also considered a war crime. 

The shelling of urban agglomerations is supplemented by continued Russian operations on the border of Kursk and Sumy regions, although they do not show signs of breaking through Ukrainian defense lines. In addition, the Russians carry out massive attacks using unmanned systems, and their victims are industrial facilities and cities such as Dnieper, Kiev, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Odessa. 

ZAPAD in Belarus. Gen. Klisz: We Are Preparing for a Surge at the Border (Interview Part 2)

In the second part of the interview with Maj. Gen. Maciej Klisz conducted by Jędrzej Graf, there was a clear appeal to the growing security concerns along Poland’s border with Belarus. General Klisz revealed that the number of illegal border crossing attempts has sharply increased—from around 500 in February to more than 2,000 by the end of March 2025. According to Gen. Klisz, these attempts are not random but appear to be part of a deliberate and coordinated strategy. The individuals trying to cross are often young men, equipped with tools to breach barriers and organized in groups that are which are assisted by belarusian security services. Although Poland has significantly strengthened its border with physical fortifications, electronic surveillance, and increased military presence, Major General Klisz cautioned that no border is completely impervious. The challenge might be the ZAPAD-25 exercise planned to take place in Belarus in 2025. Poland should expect a large surge at the polish border according to that drill.  

He also underlined the role of NATO forces, pointing out that more than 10,000 allied troops, primarily American, remain stationed in Poland. Their presence, he noted, reinforces Poland’s security and underlines NATO’s collective commitment to defending the eastern flank. Alongside with the allied engagement, Poland, due to General Klisz, should develop its own potential in terms of infrastucture and flagship projects as Eastern Shield.  

Airbus Engages with the Polish Industry

A delegation from the French company visited Poland from April 14–16 for a three-day study tour, during which they travelled to Gdańsk, Rzeszów, and Łódź. They used the opportunity to connect with local industry representatives and discuss potential new partnerships. The representatives emphasized that these initiatives could bring tangible benefits to Poland, such as increased industrial presence, intensified research and development activities, the establishment of a digital hub, and a significant rise in employment across the entire aviation sector. As Poland continues to modernize its air force, Airbus aims to deepen its cooperation further.  

Currently, the company is offering the Polish military A330 MRTT transport and refuelling aircraft as well as A400M transport planes. Additionally, the French corporation is proposing H145M helicopters to Warsaw, which could be used for training crews of Apache, AW101, AW149, and Black Hawk helicopters. Airbus’s activities also focus heavily on the civil aviation market, which has a direct impact on the Polish economy. The company recognizes Poland’s strong digital competencies, which it sees as an opportunity to enhance partnerships. Airbus has announced its readiness to launch a digital hub that would support the company’s three business divisions.  

This initiative would build on the experience of its subsidiary NAVBLUE, which specializes in digital aviation solutions. NAVBLUE already opened an office in Gdańsk in 2022, specializing in the production of aviation data and software. It is estimated that the new hub would require the employment of around 400 Polish workers by 2030. The hub could also support Airbus’s digitalization and artificial intelligence strategies. Collaboration with the French company and its growing interest in the Polish market presents an opportunity for Warsaw to further develop its military aviation structures and civil aviation sector, which could result in a significant increase in job opportunities within the industry. It is worth noting that the PZL Warszawa Okęcie S.A. facility, in which Airbus holds a 76% stake, is responsible for producing 60% of the airframe structures for C295M aircraft and serves as a centre for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of these planes. This facility will also be responsible for modernizing the C295M aircraft operated by the Polish Air Force.

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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Aleksander Olech, PhD & Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief, Michał Górski