Expert view: Bartosz Józefowski

Dual use as a strategic shift

In recent years, defense spending and dual-use technologies have moved to the center of strategic discussions across Europe. The scale of investment and the pace of technological adoption suggest a lasting structural shift rather than a temporary trend. For technology companies, this development expands the range of markets in which innovation can be applied.

Civilian innovation shaping defense

While historically many breakthrough technologies originated in the military sector, today armed forces increasingly rely on solutions first developed for commercial use. Artificial intelligence, autonomy, data analytics, advanced imaging, and cybersecurity are now driven primarily by private-sector R&D. As a result, the civilian market has become a key source of innovation that can later be adapted to defense needs. This creates entry opportunities for technology firms that understand the operational and regulatory specifics of the sector.

Agility versus scale

Defense procurement remains dominated by large international contractors experienced in managing complex public contracts. Their scale and procedural requirements can slow experimentation and deployment. This opens space for startups and SMEs able to develop and test solutions faster, often in cooperation with major system integrators. In Poland, however, the limited number of strong integrators continues to constrain ecosystem growth.

Security demand in a changing environment

Recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, illustrate how security challenges are expanding across cyber, information, and physical domains. Commercial technologies such as drones or AI-based systems are increasingly used in operational contexts, while the barrier to entry for disruptive activities has decreased. This reinforces the long-term importance of innovation in both military and public security institutions.

Dual use as a business strategy

Dual use should be understood primarily as a strategic approach rather than a separate market. Companies combine scalable commercial products with selective participation in defense procurement, accepting longer sales cycles and higher regulatory requirements in exchange for access to large, long-term contracts. Importantly, defense demand extends beyond the armed forces to public security services and operators of critical infrastructure. For technology ecosystems such as Krakow, this shift represents both a strategic responsibility and a growing economic opportunity.