Poland has signed a contract worth approximately US$16 million with the American company Shield AI for the acquisition of V-BAT drones intended for the country’s Navy.
According to a report by Defence Blog, the agreement provides for the delivery of a complete system and several aircraft by the end of 2026.
The drones will be used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions from Polish Navy ships, with a focus on operations in the Baltic Sea. According to local authorities, the systems are also expected to help protect critical infrastructure and maritime communication routes.
Developed by Shield AI, the V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone that weighs around 73 kilograms and can remain airborne for more than 12 hours. Its design uses a ducted fan, allowing operations in confined spaces, such as ship decks, without the need for runways or launch equipment.
The company highlights that the system has already been used in environments with strong electronic interference, including Ukraine, where resistance to GPS and communications jamming has become a decisive factor for drone operations.
This feature is seen as especially relevant for the Baltic Sea scenario, a region where NATO countries have shown growing concern over hybrid threats and electronic warfare activities.
The acquisition is part of Poland’s broad military modernization program, as the country has become one of those that have most increased defense investments since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Photo: Agencja Uzbrojenia | Shield AI. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
