Polish companies are increasingly developing technologies that can be used both in the civilian and military sectors. The war in Ukraine has significantly accelerated this trend, highlighting the growing importance of dual-use solutions—from drones and counter-drone systems to electronics, optics, and logistics technologies. Today, this direction is also being emphasized by the European Commission as a key element in strengthening industrial resilience and security within the European Union.
“Dual-use refers to products with dual applications. This means that if a company has a very strong product that can be used for national defense or by military forces in Europe or globally, it can be adapted into a strictly military product for the armed forces,” said Marcin Nowotka, advisor to the management board of Demarko, in an interview with the Newseria news agency.
Civilian Technologies Becoming Strategic Defense Tools
Dual-use technologies are already widely used in practice. Satellite internet, originally developed as a civilian service, is now being used as a critical communication tool during the war in Ukraine. Observation and detection technologies—including passive radars and sensors—initially created for monitoring environments and protecting facilities are increasingly used in air defense systems and critical infrastructure protection.
Similarly, counter-drone systems, first designed to secure mass events and civilian facilities, are now being deployed in military operations and border protection. Unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics, commonly used in agriculture, geodesy, and technical inspections, are also finding applications in reconnaissance missions and logistical operations.
“Companies are currently showing very strong interest in developments within the defense sector. This trend began at the start of the war in Ukraine, which triggered a major impulse in industry to develop new solutions and adapt existing products to dual-use standards. This momentum continues today and is driving significant interest among entrepreneurs seeking to enter this market,” Nowotka explained.
The European Commission Highlights Dual-Use Innovation
In its 2024 White Paper on enhancing support for research and development of dual-use technologies, the European Commission noted that the traditional separation between civilian and defense research funding no longer reflects the reality of technological development.
The document describes dual-use as a space between civilian and military markets, where a growing number of critical innovations are emerging—from software and artificial intelligence to autonomous systems, unmanned technologies, space technologies, and advanced electronics.
The Commission also pointed out that current funding frameworks for civilian and defense research may unintentionally limit the development of dual-use technologies. From the perspective of businesses, this creates challenges in financing projects that are neither fully civilian nor strictly military, even though they often have strong commercial and implementation potential.
Challenges for Small and Medium-Sized Companies
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entering the defense sector remains a significant challenge.
“Smaller companies often struggle to compete with large corporations in the defense market. International defense conglomerates control a large portion of the global arms market. Governments and states are typically the main buyers of advanced technologies,” Nowotka said.
He suggested that smaller firms should consider industrial cooperation with established defense companies rather than trying to enter the market independently.
“My advice is that if a company does not yet have a unique, high-demand product but wants to operate in the dual-use market, it should consider joining industrial partnerships within the defense sector,” he added.
Bridging the Innovation Gap
The report “Rethinking Dual Use,” prepared for European Union institutions, argues that dual-use technologies should be designed intentionally from the outset, rather than treated as an accidental by-product of civilian research.
The report highlights the need to better connect civilian innovation ecosystems with defense innovation ecosystems, while strengthening risk management, ethics, and security mechanisms. Without these changes, many projects with strong commercial potential remain stuck at the research stage or are developed outside the European Union.
One of the major structural challenges is the funding gap between civilian research programs such as Horizon Europe and defense projects financed by the European Defence Fund.
“To benefit from innovation funding, companies must propose truly strong product solutions. The technology must be innovative and represent something new that can help our armed forces defend the country in case of a threat,” Nowotka explained.
He added that simply modifying a civilian product slightly to fit the dual-use category is rarely sufficient.
“Companies often believe that small adjustments to a civilian product are enough to make it dual-use. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Much more work is required, including genuine innovation and cooperation with military research institutes and engineering organizations.”
From Civilian Prototypes to Military Deployment
Dual-use technologies are increasingly moving rapidly from civilian prototypes to operational deployment in the defense sector.
Counter-drone systems initially designed to protect public events and critical infrastructure are now being used in active military operations. Similarly, drones and robotic technologies developed for agriculture, geodesy, and industrial inspections are now being applied in reconnaissance missions and logistical support for armed forces.
The European Commission identifies these areas as among the most promising sectors for strengthening the competitiveness of the EU’s industrial base, particularly in a time of rising geopolitical tensions.
For Polish companies, dual-use technologies are becoming a real pathway for business growth and international expansion.
Growing Role of the Polish Defense Industry
According to Nowotka, Poland already has a strong base of companies capable of developing dual-use technologies.
“Poland has a large number of defense companies, and all of them are coordinated through structures connected with the Ministry of Development and Technology. A strategy is currently being developed to strengthen cooperation between the private defense sector and government institutions. As a result, we are seeing a very promising range of products emerging in logistics, electronics, and optics,” he said.
Strong Financial Support for Dual-Use Innovation
Polish dual-use companies are already benefiting from both national and European funding programs.
According to the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, for the first time in the history of the European Union, traditional EU funds have been used to support Polish companies developing dual-use technologies.
Under Poland’s National Recovery Plan, the government has launched a Security and Defense Fund worth more than PLN 22 billion, aimed at supporting infrastructure and dual-use technologies. Additionally, PLN 4 billion has been allocated under the European Funds for a Modern Economy program to support production and innovation in dual-use technologies, with funding programs expected to launch this year.
Polish Technologies Enter Global Markets
Polish companies are already securing international contracts for dual-use technologies.
“We already have many companies producing components for various electronic systems as well as drones. Some firms possess full production infrastructure—from the initial concept to the final product that can be exported to other governments,” Nowotka said.
He noted that Polish companies have begun signing contracts not only with Ukraine, but also with partners in Asia, the United States, and across Europe.
“Polish counter-drone systems, which have already been tested in Ukraine, are very popular. It is highly likely that the Polish government will also decide to purchase them,” he concluded.
