On September 26, 2023, the third edition of the Armed Forces Innovation Forum organized by the Ministry of National Defense and the Military University of Technology took place. The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, the General Staff, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of National Defense, the Armed Forces, academic and scientific centers and the arms industry. Among the invited foreign guests were Col. John Patrick, director of the NATO Space Center of the US Space Force, and representatives of Embassies and Defense Attachés.
The topic of the Forum was focused on the priority directions of scientific research supported by the Ministry of National Defense in the perspective of the development of the Polish Armed Forces, the implementation of the operational domain of space in the Polish Armed Forces in the development of national space technologies and a new international tool in the defense innovation ecosystem – BRAIn (Research, Development, Army, Innovation).
Marcin Ociepa, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense, summarized the activities of the Ministry of National Defense in the last 12 months in terms of developing research and development works in the Ministry of National Defense and the innovation ecosystem of the Polish Armed Forces in dialogue with science, industry and the army. He emphasized that the National Center for Research and Development is currently implementing over 70 projects for state defense and security with a total value exceeding PLN 2 billion and 300 million. According to Minister Ociepa’s announcement, under the PERUN program, work on which is being finalized by NCBR, with a planned budget of approximately PLN 3 billion, the competences of domestic scientific and industrial entities will be built over the next 10 years in order to increase operational capabilities. Civil technologies are also to be used in the development of defense potential.
Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. During the Innovation Forum, the Ministry of National Defense presented NBPWP BORSUK, which is the result of research and development work conducted by HSW S.A. in cooperation with technical universities, research institutes and other defense industry companies.