Poland Moves Forward with Its Own ‘Drone Wall’: An Ambitious National Defense Initiative
Poland has announced its intention to effectively counter aerial threats, initiating the development of a national system to combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This initiative is independent of the EU’s ‘drone wall’ concept and represents Poland’s own strategic project aimed at securing its airspace within the coming months.
Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk stated that the country is already preparing to launch investments in detection, jamming, and neutralization technologies for drones, with an official announcement expected as early as November.
This effort is part of a broader air defense program that incorporates modern systems to ensure rapid response and protection against airborne threats.
Notably, Polish companies will be prioritized for contracts—at least half of the technology procurement will be allocated to domestic firms.
Furthermore, plans include utilizing the EU’s SAFE defense credit program to finance these developments, though specifics regarding funding amounts and timelines remain undisclosed.
Given Poland’s geographical position bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, the country has secured the largest initial funding, amounting to €43.7 billion within the SAFE framework.
The defense ministry projects that the first UAV countermeasure systems will become operational within three months of the announcement, with the entire system fully deployed within two years.
According to Tomczyk, the drone countermeasure concept will involve a comprehensive array of sensors and effectors capable of detecting, identifying, and neutralizing targets swiftly.
This will add an extra layer to Poland’s existing air defense infrastructures, which already include long- and medium-range systems.
The recent large-scale infiltration of Russian drones into Poland on September 10 underscores the importance of this initiative for enhancing national security and regional stability.
Poland and Ukraine have also agreed to establish a joint operational drone response group to address ongoing threats and strengthen regional defenses.