Modernization Continues
Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojniowa (PGZ), a defense group founded in 2013 to unite Poland’s state-owned defense industry companies, signed an agreement with U.S. company Anduril to assemble and produce Barracuda cruise missiles for the Polish Armed Forces.
Anduril, founded in 2017, is an American military tech company, specializing in developing advanced autonomous systems. In early 2025, Anduril produced a series of manufacturing facilities dedicated to the manufacture of advanced weapons systems more quickly than their American rivals.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking at the signing on July 6, said Poland is now the best-prepared country for military cooperation with the United States and with other NATO partners and described the missiles as “one of the most important elements of the modern battlefield.” He stated also that the deal will strengthen the defense of Poland, Europe and the entire Alliance, while establishing the durability of Polish-American and NATO cooperation. PGZ is now Anduril’s only such partner in Europe.
Dar Młodzieży Joins 250th Parade
New York City hosted one of the largest tall-ship parades in U.S. history for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Forty-eight tall ships from 20 countries sailed up the Hudson River from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the George Washington Bridge, passing the Statue of Liberty, lower Manhattan, One World Trade Center and Battery Park. They were escorted by U.S. and allied naval vessels and accompanied by an air display of over 120 aircraft and helicopters, including the Blue Angels.
The Polish training frigate Dar Młodzieży, operated by Gdynia Maritime University, participated with about 120 navigation students on board. The ship had previously taken part in celebrations in Norfolk, Virginia; after New York, some crew members were replaced before it continued to Boston.
Jets Intercept Russian Recon Plane Over Baltic
Polish fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea three days in a row, said Poland’s defense minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
On July 16, two Russian Su-30 fighters were intercepted first, and later a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane was escorted about 18 miles north of the Polish coast near Jastrzębia Góra.
None of the Russian aircraft entered Polish airspace.
Polish jets began the escort from Malbork. After the Polish pilots ended their mission, Swedish fighters took over the escort.
Similar interceptions happened on July 14 and 15. Polish fighters intercepted two Su-30SM2 jets and an Il-20 spy plane over international waters. Kosiniak-Kamysz said these flights appear aimed at gathering intelligence on Poland’s air defenses and called them part of ongoing hostile and hybrid actions by Russia against NATO countries.
Poland has intercepted Russian planes over the Baltic many times this year. Russian reconnaissance and combat aircraft often fly without transponders or filed flight plans, which makes them hard to track and complicates civilian air traffic control.
Defense Cooperation Agreement Inked
Poland and Germany have agreed to decided to collaborate on their defenses, focusing on enhancing military mobility, collaborating on weapons and systems, cybersecurity, space operations, and collaboration among defense businesses.
The agreement involves practical initiatives such as German engineering units assisting countries in planning the construction of fortifications on Poland’s border with Russia and Belarus. It will also promote cooperative procurement of equipment, collaborative research, and technology projects between the two countries.
The agreement comes as European countries seek to strengthen their defenses following the invasion of Ukraine. Poland sees this as an opportunity to rely more on Germany for regional security. Germany sees this as a chance to play a more active role in European defense and deepen ties with key NATO members in Central and Eastern Europe.
