Unimot S.A., PZL Defence (a company within the Unimot Group), and the Ukrainian company JSC Ivchenko-Progress have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the development, production, and commercialization of compact turbojet engines and other technologies for the aerospace and defence sectors. The partnership aims to combine the Ukrainian company's engineering expertise with the industrial and market capabilities of the Polish company, supporting the development of advanced technological capabilities in Central and Eastern Europe. The agreement was signed on 25 June 2026 during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk, in the presence of Agnieszka Skiba from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aleksander Siemaszko from the Ministry of Development and Technology.
Compact turbojet engines are currently among the most sought-after technologies on the market. Growing demand for these solutions is driven by the rapid expansion of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market, encompassing both military and civilian applications, which is projected to be worth tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. As a result, this technology has become strategically important, enhancing national operational capabilities in the areas of security and defence while also supporting the development of a modern aerospace industry and high-tech supply chains.
The project supports the development of sovereign technological capabilities in Central and Eastern Europe by strengthening domestic expertise in the design and manufacture of advanced aircraft propulsion systems, establishing Polish-Ukrainian supply chains in high-tech industries, and fostering the next generation of engineering talent for the aerospace and defence sectors.
“Expertise in the design and production of compact turbojet engines is among the most sought-after technological capabilities in the world today, particularly for military and unmanned applications. Building these capabilities in Poland represents an opportunity to develop sovereign national expertise in aircraft engine design - an area in which Poland historically had significant capabilities but which is now carried out almost exclusively within the global supply chains of Western companies,” said Maciej Borecki, CEO of PZL Defence.
The Ukrainian company JSC Ivchenko-Progress is a global leader in the field of aircraft engine design, having developed propulsion systems for the world’s largest transport aircraft, the An-225 Mriya, as well as for the renowned An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft.
PZL Defence, a company belonging to the Unimot Group - the largest independent multi-energy group in Poland - contributes industrial capabilities and access to the markets of the European Union and NATO countries. The industrial foundation of PZL Defence is built on the long-standing experience of PZL Sędziszów, a manufacturer with more than 85 years of heritage in the aerospace and defence industries, possessing specialised know-how and proven expertise in the production of precision components for military and aviation applications. PZL Defence focuses on the production of civilian drones and the development of export capabilities, supporting the growth of Poland’s domestic industrial and technological potential. At the same time, the company is pursuing the process of obtaining its own defence industry licence, which will provide full access to the market for military unmanned systems and critical infrastructure protection solutions.
“In discussions on Ukraine’s reconstruction, industrial projects carried out with partners from Germany, Denmark, or the Netherlands are often highlighted. We believe that our cooperation can become a tangible example of Polish-Ukrainian industrial partnership, based on joint investments and technology transfer in areas that are strategic for the security of the entire region,” added Adam Sikorski, CEO of Unimot S.A.
The parties also committed to developing cooperation in specialist education and human capital development for the aerospace industry, drawing on their own resources as well as the capabilities of partner universities and other higher education institutions.
The partnership represents one of the first examples of Polish-Ukrainian industrial cooperation in the design and production of advanced aircraft propulsion systems. The signed Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates that Poland can play a significant role in building joint technological and industrial capabilities with Ukraine, fostering long-term economic ties and strengthening the region's technological autonomy.
