East Front News #44: Defence24 Days 2025 and “Miecznik” Gains Momentum

Defence24 Days 2025: The largest Defence and Security conference in CEE

The 7th edition of the Defence24 Days conference is over!

During two days of panel discussions at the Defence24 Days 2025 conference, leading political and military decision-makers, industry representatives, and experts sought answers to the most important security challenges facing Poland, Central and Eastern Europe, and the world as a whole.

Key conclusions from the discussions included:

-Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security while preserving cooperation with the United States. Europe should significantly step up its involvement in a shared security and defence system, including by developing the capabilities of its defence industry. At the same time, transatlantic relations in this regard must be strengthened, not weakened, as only together can Europe and the U.S. effectively confront the threat posed by Russia and other hostile states.

-The crucial role of competent personnel and cooperation with science and the economy. There is a need for comprehensive collaboration and engagement of the entire state and society to prepare personnel ready to operate efficiently and effectively across all aspects of the modern security and defence system.

-Adequate funding for security and defence. The dynamic and ever-expanding nature of threats makes it necessary to further, sustainably, and decisively increase funding for the national defence and resilience sector. While the European Union has a role to play in this area, it requires clear political decisions at the level of individual European states.

France and Poland Sign Strategic Treaty Amid Shifting Global Alliances

On May 9, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a sweeping bilateral treaty aimed at strengthening cooperation in defense, security, and economic development. The agreement marks a pivotal moment for European strategic autonomy, as concerns grow over Russian aggression and the reliability of U.S. security commitments. 

The treaty reflects both countries« desire to deepen intra-European ties, particularly in light of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed influence and his questioning of NATO obligations. For Poland — NATO’s largest defense spender by GDP share — the pact signals an effort to diversify its security relationships beyond Washington, including preliminary conversations about France’s nuclear capabilities as part of a broader European deterrence dialogue.

"Miecznik" Gains Momentum. First Steel Plate for ORP Burza Cut

 At the PGZ Naval Shipyard in Gdynia, the ceremonial first „burning” (cutting) of steel plate took place for the second project 106 Miecznik frigate on Monday 5 May. After the flag is raised in 2030, she will bear the name ORP Burza and the tactical number 275.

An identical ceremony for the prototype Project 106/1 frigate was held on 16 August 2023. The keel for that prototype—destined to be named ORP Wicher (274)—was laid on 31 January 2025. Wicher’s launch is currently planned for Q3 2026, with handover to the Navy in Q3 2028.

The keel for Burza is scheduled for Q4 2025. Her launch is planned for Q3 2027, with delivery to the customer in Q2 2030.

German counterintelligence recognizes AfD as an extremist group

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has recognized that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is a far-right group with extremist elements. The counterintelligence agency’s decision was motivated by the AfD’s rhetoric of exclusion of social groups. The BfV acted in this case in an unprecedented way, because never in history has the largest opposition group in Germany been labeled an „extremist party”, although in the past the BfV has classified the neo-Nazi NPD, individual politicians of „Die Linke”, state structures of the AfD and their youth wing in the form of „Junge Alternative” in this way. 

However, the problem for the German counterintelligence agency is the need for the decision to be finalized by the administrative court in western Cologne, which must issue a ruling in this case. On Thursday, May 8, the BfV therefore decided that until the Cologne court issues a ruling, it will withhold a clear classification of the AfD as an extremist party. On May 7, the Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee appealed to American intelligence agencies to temporarily suspend cooperation with the German BfV in the field of combating terrorism. This correlates with statements by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary Marco Rubio, who described the BfV’s actions as a retreat from democracy and a camouflaged tyranny. 

Defence24 Days 2025: Security Eagle Awards Presented

During the ceremonial gala of Defence24 Days 2025, the Security Eagles awards were presented to individuals and institutions that have made an outstanding contribution to building Poland’s security and defence system.

The Security Eagles were handed out at the gala accompanying the Defence24 Days 2025 conference, held in Warsaw at the Hilton Warsaw City hotel.

This year saw the introduction of a new category: Institution of the Year.

The award in this new category went to the Armament Agency, in recognition of its exceptional contribution to strengthening the Polish Armed Forces and Poland’s national security. The statuette was presented to Brig. Gen. Artur Kuptel, Head of the Armament Agency, by Jędrzej Graf, Editor in Chief of Defence24.pl.

Mesko Increases Production of Artillery Ammunition

MESKO S.A. has reported on the progress of investments intended to raise the company’s production capacity of 155 mm artillery ammunition to 150,000 rounds per year.

MESKO S.A., together with its subsidiaries within the MESKO Capital Group, produces 155 mm ammunition. Shell manufacturing takes place at the Kraśnik plant, and the company is expanding its expertise in this area.

„The investment at the Kraśnik factory is a milestone in MESKO S.A.’s development and a response to the growing needs of the Polish Armed Forces. We are increasing our capacity to deliver ammunition that is critical for Poland’s security and to strengthening the country’s defence at a pivotal moment for Europe and NATO,” emphasizes Renata Gruszczyńska, President of the Management Board of MESKO S.A.

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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