Warsaw announces multimillion-dollar plan to accelerate the integration of unmanned systems into its defense strategy
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Poland has launched a major shift in its defense policy by announcing an investment of nearly US$55 million (approximately 200 million zloty) to accelerate the deployment of drones in its Armed Forces. The announcement was made by Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defense, Cezary Tomczyk, during a press conference in the capital, Warsaw.
“We are entering a drone revolution,” said Tomczyk. “The Polish Armed Forces are entering a new era in which unmanned systems will be a fundamental pillar of defense.”
Half of the funds will go to training centers
According to Tomczyk, half of the amount will be used to develop training infrastructure, while the other half will be allocated to drone procurement. He also noted that the budget could double if the national industry is ready to meet the demand. 
Special law will allow direct purchases in urgent cases
The government is considering a bill that would allow the military to bypass traditional public procurement procedures in cases of urgent operational need. As a result, drones that pass testing will be eligible for direct acquisition, speeding up modernization efforts.
“Our goal is for unmanned systems to become standard equipment for all combat units,” Tomczyk stated.
Drone Center to be created to coordinate national capabilities
Poland also announced the creation of the Drone Center, code-named SZERSZEŃ, at the Air Force Technology Institute. The facility will be responsible for testing, developing, and integrating aerial, ground, and naval drones, bringing together efforts from military institutes, private companies, and the Cyber Defense Forces.
AI and 3D printing integrated into the new doctrine
Drone labs will be installed in operational units, special forces, and the Territorial Defense Force. These labs will handle design, maintenance, and customization of platforms, including the use of 3D printing.
Tomczyk highlighted software integration and artificial intelligence as strategic priorities. “The Polish Army is the third in the world to launch an Artificial Intelligence Implementation Center (CISI). We want AI embedded in all unmanned systems.”
East Shield project is already testing dozens of models
The “drone revolution” is directly linked to Poland’s national defense plan called East Shield. Since January, 455 technological proposals have been submitted to the government, with 100 focused on unmanned systems. Of these, 41 companies were selected to supply ground, aerial, and naval drones.
Five military institutes signed agreements to test 90 models in nine operational units. The first deliveries are expected between September and October this year.
Source and images: gov.pl. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
