VIGO Photonics and PCO Forge Defense Partnership
VIGO Photonics and PCO S.A. Sign Strategic Agreement to Advance Poland’s Defense Capabilities with Cutting-Edge Infrared Technologies
VIGO Photonics S.A., a global leader in mid-infrared detectors and semiconductor materials, has signed a strategic framework agreement with PCO S.A., Poland’s premier manufacturer of military optoelectronic systems. The partnership, valued at nearly €46 million (approx. PLN 200 million), focuses on the long-term development, production, and supply of cooled infrared detector arrays—crucial components for modern thermal imaging solutions.
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The new detector arrays, built using state-of-the-art T2SL (Type-II Superlattice) semiconductor technology, consist of hundreds of thousands to millions of active pixels capable of detecting thermal radiation at extreme sensitivity. Operating at temperatures close to that of liquid nitrogen, these arrays will play a critical role in advanced combat platforms and air defense systems, ensuring precise target detection and operational safety under all atmospheric conditions.
Elevating Poland to the Global Technological Elite
This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening Poland’s defense manufacturing capabilities. By enabling local production of critical semiconductor technologies, Poland joins an elite group of countries capable of independently supplying top-tier optoelectronic components for defense applications.
Strategic Insights from Leaders
Marek Adamiak, CEO of PCO S.A., emphasized:
“The agreement is a strategic investment in the flexibility, reliability, and security of our supply chains, crucial for supporting the Polish Armed Forces. It’s also fully aligned with the PGZ Group’s broader strategy to strengthen national defense capabilities.”
Adam Piotrowski, CEO of VIGO Photonics, added:
“This collaboration is not just a business success; it validates Polish engineering excellence and years of research investments. Beyond defense, our breakthrough technologies open pathways into ambitious space exploration projects.”
The first matrices for military testing will be delivered by the end of 2025, with full-scale production commencing in 2026. The domestic production of such advanced technologies not only ensures strategic autonomy but also stimulates Poland’s knowledge-based economy, providing significant opportunities for engineers, scientists, and industrial growth.
About VIGO Photonics
Founded in 1987 and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2014, VIGO Photonics (WSE: VGO) is a pioneer in the production of mid-infrared detectors, modules, and semiconductor materials. Their detectors have been deployed in diverse sectors, including security, transportation, medicine, and even space exploration—aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars. Headquartered in Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland, VIGO also operates a subsidiary in the United States.
