Poland plans to launch a series of military surveillance satellites in 2025, the deputy defense minister said on Thursday, according to Reuters.

“Next year, as the Ministry of Defense and the Polish Army, we want to put our first Polish satellites into orbit,” said Cezary Tomczyk during a press briefing.

According to him, Poland plans to acquire a satellite system equipped with radar and optical technology that will allow observing the Earth regardless of atmospheric conditions and will use both foreign and domestic technologies.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish said at the same briefing that the country will develop a space force this year, among other units, based on lessons learned from Ukraine’s experience after Russia invaded in February 2022.

“All the actions we are taking this year, the creation of drone forces, the creation of forces with a space component or medical forces, are actions that strengthen the Polish army and are also the result of the Ukrainian experience,” Kosiniak-Kamysh said.

In December 2022, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Airbus AIR.PA for the supply of two reconnaissance satellites, the launch of which is scheduled for 2027.