“Polak potrafi” – Poles can do it. This well-known phrase rings especially true in the fast-growing dual-use technology sector. Polish manufacturers of security and defence solutions are gaining global recognition for delivering innovative, reliable, and future-focused products. Their capabilities will be on full display at DSEI 2025 in London (9–12 September), where visitors can explore the Polish National Pavilion, organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH).
The dynamic growth of Poland’s high-tech and dual-use industries is closely linked to the shifting geopolitical landscape in Central and Eastern Europe. Increasing security needs, natural threats, and extreme weather events have accelerated demand for solutions that combine innovation with operational reliability.
Marlena Achinger, coordinator of the dual-use sector at PAIH’s Brand HUB project, emphasises Poland’s strengths:
“Poland is a country of outstanding engineers and creative minds. We develop pioneering technologies with versatile applications, always looking ahead to future challenges. The phrase ‘Polak potrafi’ is not just a saying – it’s a fact. That’s why Polish dual-use companies are a natural choice for international clients and investors.”
Poland’s dual-use industry is expanding not only domestically but also internationally. In 2024, exports from the defence sector alone reached over USD 2.47 billion, with Ukraine as the largest destination, followed by the US, UK, Germany, and Norway.
This growth is driven by both established enterprises and a rising number of SMEs and technology start-ups. According to Piotr Placha, Key Expert at PAIH:
“There is enormous room for growth in this sector. It’s not only about large state-owned companies – smaller firms and start-ups bring innovation that even industry giants can benefit from. Platforms that support cooperation and commercialisation of R&D projects are essential to unlocking this potential.”
Polish companies operate across a wide range of high-tech fields, including:
Unmanned systems
Defence and tactical communication
Transport technologies
Cybersecurity solutions
The ecosystem is strengthened by close cooperation between industry, research institutes, universities, and technology parks – with institutions such as the Military University of Technology playing a central role in training future specialists.
Colonel (ret.) Marcin Szymański, former Chief of Staff at the Polish Special Forces Command, highlights real-world results:
“From advanced reconnaissance drones to modern tactical communication systems and precision airdrop devices, Polish companies are proving they can combine innovation with operational effectiveness. Poland is becoming a serious player on the global stage of defence and dual-use technologies.”
Visitors to DSEI 2025 will be able to discover the breadth of Polish innovation at the Polish National Pavilion (N11-140). Organised under the ‘Internationalisation of SMEs – Brand HUB’ initiative, the pavilion promotes the visibility of Polish dual-use solutions worldwide and supports companies in scaling their exports.
The initiative is part of the Sectoral Promotion Programme, coordinated by PAIH in partnership with the Ministry of Development and Technology and funded by the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027. Its goal is clear: to strengthen Poland’s international reputation under the banner “Poland. Business Forward.”
👉 Want to meet Polish innovators in London? Visit the Polish National Pavilion at DSEI 2025, 9–12 September.