Poland Leads Europe into the Drone Era with Launch of Unmanned Weapons Systems Forces.

The Polish Ministry of National Defense has taken a historic step in transforming its military capabilities by officially launching the Unmanned Weapons Systems Component (BSU), which began operating on January 1, 2025. This groundbreaking development is the result of extensive planning and preparation that started in early 2024, underscoring the government’s firm commitment to embracing the future of warfare through drone technologies. The creation of this new component within the Polish Armed Forces is not just a structural change—it marks a fundamental shift in how the Polish military plans to defend its territory and contribute to regional stability.
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Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, meets with national defense industry leaders on April 24, 2025, to advance Poland’s drone warfare capabilities as part of the newly launched Unmanned Weapons Systems Component. (Picture source: Polish MoD)

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the critical role of drones during a recent visit to the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade. He stressed that the formation of a drone force is among the most important decisions in the recent history of the Polish Army. “There will be no safe Poland without an army of drones—those that fly, those that move on water, under water, and land. In all domains, in all units, every soldier of the Polish Army will have contact with drones. This is our ambition. This is our goal,” he stated, making it clear that drones will become a core element of every operational unit in the Polish military structure.

This strategic vision has been significantly influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has provided a stark lesson in the changing nature of modern warfare. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has demonstrated how the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-drone systems has transformed the battlefield. From reconnaissance and artillery targeting to precision strikes and electronic warfare, drones have played a decisive role in shaping combat outcomes. Polish Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged this evolution, stating, “We see what is happening in Ukraine. We see how Ukraine has absorbed—how one could say, devoured—the topic of arming with drones and anti-drone systems.” These observations have reinforced the urgency for Poland to invest heavily in unmanned systems to ensure technological parity and operational readiness.

Poland’s move to institutionalize drone forces is also a strategic response to the broader trends in military innovation among NATO allies and adversaries alike. By establishing the BSU, Poland positions itself as a leader in integrating unmanned systems across all branches of the armed forces. This includes aerial drones for surveillance and strike missions, ground robots for reconnaissance and logistics, unmanned surface vessels for naval operations, and underwater drones for mine countermeasures and maritime patrols. The overarching goal is to create a military environment where the use of drones becomes second nature to all soldiers, thereby increasing the effectiveness, survivability, and versatility of Polish forces.

An equally critical dimension of this transformation is the role of the Polish defense industry in supporting the development and deployment of these advanced systems. Poland has been steadily building its domestic capabilities in unmanned technologies, driven by both strategic necessity and industrial ambition. Several Polish defense companies, including WB Electronics, PIT-RADWAR, and Mesko, are already producing a range of drone platforms and related systems. For instance, the FlyEye tactical reconnaissance drone, developed by WB Group, has seen successful deployment in Ukraine, providing real-time battlefield intelligence. Additionally, ongoing investments in research and development are enabling Polish manufacturers to innovate across domains, including the creation of loitering munitions, autonomous ground vehicles, and anti-drone technologies.

This industrial momentum strengthens national defense and boosts Poland’s position as a potential exporter of drone technologies within the NATO ecosystem and to allied nations worldwide. Poland aims to cultivate a self-reliant and technologically advanced defense posture by fostering synergies between the military and the defense industry.

The establishment of the Unmanned Weapons Systems Component signifies a new era for the Polish Armed Forces. It reflects a deep understanding of contemporary warfare, the importance of technological adaptation, and the critical lessons learned from neighboring conflict zones. Through this initiative, Poland is modernizing its military and reinforcing its strategic autonomy and national security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.