On December 11 in Warsaw, the IV Italian-Polish Aerospace Forum was held, which provides a space to deepen cooperation between Poland and Italy in the areas of industry, technology, research and academic development. The meeting was conceived and organized by the Italian Embassy in Poland, the Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Poland. The event was attended by representatives of industry, government administration, the armed forces and academia from Poland and Italy. During the event, special attention was paid to the challenges arising from the current geopolitical changes and the need to strengthen cooperation between countries:

– The increasingly close and extensive cooperation between our two countries in this field, which is at the center of today’s debate, is not only a response to the growing instability of the geopolitical context, but it also aims to create a solid foundation for a modern aerospace sector, through the exchange of knowledge and services. The aerospace sector is essential for security, while being a source of economic development and technological progress, as well as a strong synergy between Italy and Poland,” said H.E. Ambassador of Italy to Poland Luca Franchetti Pardo.

The forum began with a speech by Brig. Gen. Lech Majewski, Director of the Defense Industry Department at the Ministry of Development and Technology, representing Minister of Development Krzysztof Paszyk. He stressed the importance of cooperation between Poland and Italy in the aerospace sector, noting the key role of Italy’s Cosmo-SkyMED space program. This program has enabled Poland to access modern satellite technologies, important for defense and the civilian sector.

This year’s edition of the event was divided into 3 panel discussions, allowing to discuss key issues of cooperation between Poland and Italy in the aerospace sector, with a particular focus on innovation, industrial development and joint research and development projects.

Panel I: The Power of Synergy. Knowledge transfer and industrial cooperation in contemporary international aerospace programs

The first panel presented the benefits of participating in international aviation programs, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, which supports defense and the development of national economies. Experts Krystian Zięć (Alioth Group), Maj. Gen. Jacek Pszczoła (Alioth Foundation) Maj. Gen. Janusz Sobolewski (PGZ), and Jacek Libucha (PZL-Świdnik), stressed the importance of industrial cooperation and technology transfer. They noted that participation in such initiatives brings innovation, new jobs and the development of local service centers.

According to the PwC report, the Eurofighter Typhoon generated £49.7 billion in economic growth 63,000 jobs and £12 billion in tax revenues in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK for the 2024-2033 period. Exporting 200 additional units could increase these benefits to £77.1 billion, 98,000 jobs and £18.8 billion in tax revenues. For Poland, the decision to purchase the Eurofighter Typhoon is an opportunity to accelerate and strengthen the development of the domestic defense industry and strengthen defense capabilities.

Panel II: The advent of drones: What is the future of unmanned aerial platforms and how can they benefit modern societies?

The second panel discussed the dynamic development of the drone market in the civilian and military sectors. Paweł Stężycki, President of the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Aerospace Institute, emphasized the impact that drone use can have in monitoring natural disasters, supporting critical infrastructure and delivering medical supplies. In turn, Jarosław Czajka of WB Group stressed that the Polish company is one of the leaders in Europe, exporting systems to Korea, the US and Ukraine. Polish drones, equipped with AI and autonomous technologies, improve efficiency in both military and civilian operations.

Col. Łukasz Andrzejewski-Popow presented the Ministry of Defense’s plans for the creation of Drone Troops in Poland from January 2025. The new component of the armed forces is expected to play a key role in surveillance, logistics and offensive operations, which will revolutionize the conduct of military operations.

Panel III: Space for All. What is the significance of the decline of the hegemony of individual states and the development of a global space economy? How can Poland and Italy benefit from this trend?

The third panel focused on the global space economy, the dynamics of which is increasingly shaped by commercial companies, including numerous start-ups from around the world. There are already more than 400 space-related entities in Poland. Although Poland and Italy are currently at different stages of development, they have significant potential for cooperation in this field.

General Danilo Figà of the Italian Space Operations Command discussed the role of CosmoSkyMED satellites, which support climate change monitoring and defense. He stressed that cooperation between Poland and Italy can bring benefits in the form of development of new technologies, construction of satellites, increased exports and greater independence from global suppliers. Joint activities in the areas of space exploration and innovation can also contribute to strengthening national security and airspace management.

Leonardo, a global industrial group, was a strategic partner of the event. Leonardo is a pioneer in international defense programs and is a trusted supplier of technology to governments, defense agencies, institutions and companies. Marco Lupo, president of Leonardo Poland, spoke at the forum:

– Earth observation using satellites is one of the priorities of governments and the military today. One such program providing precise knowledge is COSMO-SkyMed, which originated in Italy and is one of the most innovative Earth observation programs designed to meet civilian and military needs. COSMO-SkyMed was funded by, among others, the Italian Space Agency, the Italian Ministry of Defense and developed in Italy by Thales Alenia Space (in which Leonardo has a stake) The COSMO-SkyMed system includes a constellation of four satellites equipped with radar sensors that can operate in all weather conditions. This program is an example of successful international cooperation, including the Polish partnership, which we want to develop further, and which can bring sovereignty to Poland. Additional COSMO-SkyMed satellites will be launched in the near future and, along with increased performance, will ensure the continuation and competitiveness of this constellation. In addition, a dedicated Space Business Unit was recently established at Leonardo as part of a clearly defined plan, which will strengthen Leonardo’s position as a leader in the space sector in Europe and in parallel ensure Europe’s technological independence in this sector. –

The 4th Italian-Polish Aerospace Forum highlighted the potential and opportunities for cooperation between Poland and Italy in the aerospace sector. Joint activities in the area of innovation can strengthen technological independence and Europe’s position in the global market, contributing to the security and development of both countries.

Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.