Norwegian defence group Kongsberg has announced plans to build a manufacturing facility for counter‑drone systems in Poland’s Pomerania (the Gdańsk–Gdynia–Sopot ‘Tri‑City’) with an investment of more than 200 million zlotys (about €45–51m). The company said it aims to sign a construction contract by the end of 2026 and begin work immediately; serial production could start in the first half of 2028 and the site is expected to create more than 100 jobs once at full capacity.
Why the plant matters beyond defence
The project is linked to Poland’s SAN counter‑drone programme — a large national procurement valued at roughly 15 billion zlotys that Kongsberg is delivering in partnership with state group PGZ — and is financed largely through loans drawn under the EU’s SAFE instrument, Defence News reports.
For the region this is not just a defence win. Pomerania’s industrial parks and portside logistics (centered on Gdańsk and nearby terminals) already host suppliers and sub‑assemblers for automotive OEMs and Tier‑1s; a new defence production line will compete for the same industrial land, utilities and skilled technicians (electronics assemblers, systems integrators, radar and RF technicians). Industry trackers note the plant sits in a region that is also serving growing vehicle logistics and supplier activity.
What this means for the market
Short term, the Kongsberg project will lift demand for construction, industrial utilities and specialised labour around Tri‑City — placing upward pressure on local rents and the cost of recruiting engineers and technicians. That intensifies competition for workers who are already sought by automotive electronics suppliers and logistics providers in northern Poland. The announced >200m‑zloty spend and the timing (construction contracting by end‑2026, series output from H1 2028) mean OEMs and Tier‑1s that rely on Pomerania for short‑lead supply or finished‑vehicle transit should expect capacity tightness during 2027–2028.
