In recent days, we had the opportunity to participate in two key industry events: the Poland Security Congress and the inaugural Dual Use Congress. Both clearly demonstrated that defense, security, and dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly interconnected—united by a common denominator: the rapid advancement of unmanned systems.
Poland Security Congress – the growing importance of drone technologies
One of the most thought-provoking themes of the Congress was the discussion on counter‑drone systems in the context of national security. Experts focused on key challenges related to drone detection and neutralization, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure—both civilian and military. The development of counter‑UAS platforms, including mobile solutions such as handheld neutralizers, clearly shows that this is no longer a niche field, but one of the fastest-growing segments of modern defense.
The conclusions drawn from these discussions are unequivocal: the importance of drone technologies—both offensive and defensive—will continue to increase in the coming years. This trend is accompanied by a global technology race in which not only hardware investments, but also manufacturing capabilities and competencies, are becoming decisive factors.
Poland is currently facing significant challenges. The country still relies heavily on imported military equipment, which accounts for approximately 60% of its arsenal. At the same time, demographic forecasts indicate that by 2050, the population may decrease by around 12%. This means that, alongside technology, human capital will become one of the most critical resources. Access to specialists, engineers, and experts may ultimately determine the pace of development in the defense sector.
Dual Use Congress – a growing market for dual-use technologies
This perspective was strongly reinforced by the Dual Use Congress—an event that, for the first time, comprehensively focused on dual-use technologies. As a member of the Polish Dual Use Chamber, we recognize the importance of building a cohesive collaboration ecosystem between industry, public administration, and academia. The dual-use direction aligns fully with Base Group’s strategic objectives, which is why we actively engage in initiatives that support the development of this sector.
Our representatives at the event, Leszek Rząp and Patryk Umiński, highlighted the development of drones and counter-drone systems as one of the most promising market segments. At the same time, experts emphasized that Poland faces not only technological challenges in this area, but also procedural and regulatory ones. Regulations and the efficiency of processes may ultimately determine the pace of innovation deployment in the years ahead.
Dual-use is not limited to defense—it also holds significant potential for the civilian economy. Technologies developed for security purposes can be applied across sectors such as critical infrastructure, energy, transport, and crisis management. Building a strong dual-use sector therefore means not only enhancing national security, but also driving broader economic growth.
Participation in both events provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge and establish new partnerships—including discussions with representatives of the Polish Dual Use Chamber. We see this as an important step toward strengthening collaboration and building a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
Today, the question is no longer whether drone and counter-drone technologies will play a critical role in security, but how quickly and effectively they can be implemented. In this context, the future of defense is increasingly shaped at the intersection of technology, competencies, and collaboration—precisely where the dual-use sector continues to evolve.
