More employees
Without a doubt, we can consider the year 2023 successful for the Fabryka Broni. We have maintained our strong position in the market. We continue to live in a difficult and demanding reality, but we are prepared for any eventuality. Throughout the year, we worked intensively. Thanks to well-planned production, all deliveries to our contractors were completed as planned. Increased production and the continuous development of the Company also lead to a gradual increase in employment - says Dr. Wojciech Arndt, President of the Management Board of the Łucznik Weapon Factory - Radom Ltd.
The increase in the number of employees is also significant for the project carried out by the Company under the name "Expansion of production capacity of the Łucznik Weapon Factory - Radom Ltd.," which aims to increase the production capacity of the facility.
The project was divided into two stages.
The first one concerns the implementation of investment processes involving the purchase of machines and equipment, as well as the adaptation of plant infrastructure to increase the production capabilities of the facility. It has been divided into several tasks and is practically completed, as we are waiting for the delivery of the last equipment – explains Dr. Wojciech Arndt.
The second stage of the mentioned project concerns the expansion of the plant's infrastructure, including the construction of a new office-production-warehouse building and the development and purchase of new technological lines for electroplating processes. This stage has been formally initiated, and its completion is planned for 2026.
Additional orders and new contracts
The year 2023 was also a time of intensive production for the Fabryka Broni. The coming years are expected to be equally active. All of this is the result of multi-year contracts signed for the supply of weapons, mainly to the Polish Armed Forces.
During the past year, addendums to previous contracts were also signed. In early January of this year, the Fabryka Broni signed an annex with the Armament Agency worth approximately PLN 826 million gross for additional deliveries of MSBS GROT carbines powered by 5.56×45 mm ammunition for the Polish Armed Forces. It was approved by the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, as well as another contract with the Armament Agency worth over PLN 11 million gross for the delivery of 250 GROT 762N sniper rifles powered by 7.62 mm x 51 NATO ammunition for the Polish Armed Forces. It was signed on February 24 of this year. On that day, signatures were also placed on another annex for the delivery of an additional 88 thousand MSBS GROT carbines for the Polish army, worth approximately PLN 1 billion gross.
On May 19, 2023, the Company concluded another contract with the Armament Agency worth over PLN 160 million gross. It concerns the delivery of nearly 28 thousand VIS 100 pistols for the Polish Armed Forces. On that day, a contract was also signed for the delivery of nearly 200 representative MSBS GROT rifles for the Polish army, worth approximately PLN 2.6 million gross.
It is worth mentioning that in November 2023, the Fabryka Broni experienced a historic moment. The hundred-thousandth copy of the MSBS GROT carbine rolled off the production line and was delivered to the Polish Armed Forces. This flagship product of the Weapon Factory has been in service with the Polish Armed Forces since 2017.
Among the recipients of the products manufactured by the Company is also the Border Guard. It was with them, during the II POLSECURE International Fair on April 25 of this year, that the Weapon Factory signed a contract for the delivery of 240 MSBS GROT C16 FB-A2 carbines in caliber 5.56×45 mm.
Premiere of a New Pistol
Fabryka Broni not only continues to work on the timely implementation of orders according to the current schedules included in contracts, but also tirelessly, a team of designers and technologists is working on new firearm designs. One of them, the Company proudly presented in the past year. We are talking about the Modular Semi-Automatic Pistol (MPS) with a polymer grip and a trigger mechanism without a hammer, designed for both shooting enthusiasts and uniformed services. The premiere of the new product from the Weapon Factory took place during the XXXI International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce. The latest project of the Company is entirely its own initiative. Work on the pistol began at the end of 2018 and continued until the end of 2022. The Modular Semi-Automatic Pistol in caliber 9 x 19 mm is intended to enhance and expand the Company's product offering. The new product received very good reviews, and the Company is preparing to introduce the pistol to the market.
During the development of the Modular Semi-Automatic Pistol, our team focused on ensuring the highest level of safety. The design underwent rigorous tests that confirmed the reliability and safety of the weapon – says Seweryn Figurski, Member of the Management Board of the Łucznik Weapon Factory - Radom Ltd.
The American Market
The Weapon Factory does not slow down, and production, mainly for the Polish Armed Forces, is in full swing. However, the Company does not neglect its foreign business partners. This includes companies such as Arms of America from Texas and Atlantic Firearms from South Carolina. Through the distribution networks of these companies, various products, including VIS 100 M 1 pistols chambered in 9 x 19 mm, as well as Beryl carbines in caliber 7.62x39 mm and caliber 5.56/.233 Remington, reached the hands of American shooters in 2023.
We are aware that firearm users across the ocean are demanding customers with extensive knowledge of firearms. Therefore, we are particularly pleased that our products are continuously well-received by American shooters who are already familiar with our products – says Seweryn Figurski.
Visits to the Weapon Factory
The past year was also intense for the Company in terms of visits by high-ranking state officials. In March, President Andrzej Duda visited us, meeting with the Management Board of the Weapon Factory, touring the production facilities, and talking to employees. In September, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the facility, and at the beginning of the year, we hosted Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defense.
Visits by the most important people in the country have reinforced our belief that we hold a high position in the Polish defense industry. We are pleased with this and, at the same time, it motivates us to continue intensive work on the development of our existing products and activities related to the development of new designs – explains Dr. Wojciech Arndt.
Nomination for a Prestigious Award
In 2023, the Fabryka Broni., as the only defense industry company, was nominated for the prestigious Economic Award of the President of the Republic of Poland. The nomination in the category of Research + Development was shared with the Military University of Technology, with which it forms a scientific-industrial consortium.
