The Polish Armaments Group, PGZ Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, inaugurated a modern Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Research Center at the ZPS Gamrat plant, located in Jasło, Poland.
The facility represents a strategic advancement for the European defense industry, especially in a context marked by the continent’s military strengthening and the anticipated increase in European Union funds allocated to the armaments sector.
The new infrastructure will enable advanced and safe inspections of rocket engines, solid fuels, and high-energy propulsion systems using automated industrial radiography technologies.
The investment, valued at approximately 11 million zlotys, or about $3,020,000 USD or 2,560,000 euros, was executed in just nine months with predominant participation from Polish companies, under a local content strategy driven by the government and the national defense industry.
An NDT Center Focused on Military Development
The new Non-Destructive Testing Center was designed to meet the growing needs of the Polish and European military sectors.
The facility will allow for the detection of internal defects in critical components without compromising material integrity, a fundamental capability in the manufacturing of modern rocket engines and propulsion systems.
According to representatives of the Ministry of State Assets, this infrastructure constitutes a key tool for strengthening national security and accelerating the technological modernization of the defense industry.
PGZ President, Adam Leszkiewicz, noted that 2026 has been declared the “Year of Rockets” for the industrial group, implying an intensive expansion of missile production and technology development within the country.
Automation and Advanced Industrial Radiography
One of the most notable aspects of the project is the comprehensive modernization of the radiographic inspection system. The previous manual handling of parts has been replaced by a fully automated platform comprising three independent X-ray cabins interconnected by an intelligent pallet transport system.
The solution incorporates advanced control algorithms capable of dynamically managing the flow of components to available cabins, optimizing inspection times and significantly reducing operational downtime.
Additionally, the new radiographic software provides full control over image quality, automatic parameter documentation, and compliance with international industrial inspection standards.
Local Industry and Strategic Autonomy
The project was executed by the Polish company Casp System, considered one of Europe’s leading developers of non-destructive testing infrastructures.
Undersecretary of State, Grzegorz Wrona, affirmed that this type of investment not only increases national security but also generates specialized jobs and accelerates the country’s industrial growth.
For his part, Gamrat CEO, Mariusz Bałuka, highlighted that the infrastructure will significantly increase the stability and efficiency of inspection processes, creating a solid foundation for future technological developments within the company and the PGZ group.
PGZ Strengthens Its Missile Capability
The ZPS Gamrat plant has a long history in the manufacture of solid rocket fuels, artillery ammunition, and pyrotechnic materials. The incorporation of the new NDT center strengthens its quality control and validation capabilities for critical defense systems.
The PGZ Group brings together nearly 70 companies linked to the Polish military industry, including manufacturers of anti-aircraft systems, armored vehicles, artillery, military electronics, and shipbuilding. It is currently considered one of the most important defense conglomerates in Central Europe.
In this scenario, PGZ’s investment reflects how NDT technologies have become an essential element to ensure reliability, safety, and efficiency in the advanced production of defense systems.
Source and photo: https://grupapgz.pl/centrum-badan-nieniszczacych-otwarte/