Poland presents portable Warmate TL launcher expanding loitering munition flexibility.

During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland presented a portable launcher for the Warmate-TL loitering munition, marking a new step in the evolution of its indigenous drone warfare capabilities. This development underscores Poland’s determination to expand the operational use of loitering munitions beyond traditional fixed platforms and combat vehicles. In a context where unmanned systems are redefining modern battlefields, the appearance of a tube-launch system with high mobility and versatility attracted strong attention from international observers. The move reflects both a technological innovation and a strategic response to the demands of today’s high-intensity conflicts.
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By introducing a portable launcher for the Warmate TL, Poland demonstrates not only industrial ingenuity but also a forward-looking approach to future combat requirements (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Warmate-TL, developed by WB Group, is a containerized loitering munition system designed for deployment from portable launchers, ground vehicles, naval platforms, or even helicopters. Using enclosed tubes, the launcher protects the munitions until release and allows rapid firing in sequence. The Warmate family itself has already proven its efficiency as a precision strike system, with the TL variant adding a crucial dimension of flexibility. Equipped with loitering UAVs that can carry a variety of interchangeable warheads, ranging from anti-tank to fragmentation and thermobaric payloads, the system is capable of engaging a wide array of targets, including armored vehicles, command posts, and field positions. With an operational radius of about 30 kilometers and an endurance of up to 70 minutes, the Warmate TL offers commanders an adaptable tool for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and even potential counter-air missions under development.

Operationally, the Warmate family has been deployed with several armed forces and has gained recognition in asymmetric and conventional scenarios alike. The TL version is the result of continuous refinement by WB Group, integrating combat lessons learned and technological advances to improve survivability, accuracy, and ease of deployment. Unlike traditional missiles, loitering munitions launched from a helicopter or ground system do not immediately reveal the platform’s location, providing an element of stealth and tactical surprise. Furthermore, the ability to hand over control from airborne to ground operators allows the creation of an aerial “stockpile” of drones ready to be directed against priority targets. This concept is a clear evolution in distributed lethality, aligning with trends observed in Ukraine and other theaters where drone saturation has become decisive.

When compared to similar systems, the Warmate TL stands out for its portability and modularity. Systems like Israel’s Hero-30 or the U.S.-developed Switchblade offer comparable strike capacities but are often limited by range or warhead flexibility. The Warmate TL’s capacity to integrate seamlessly into different platforms, including helicopters, gives it an operational advantage by extending engagement ranges while preserving the survivability of the launch platform. This adaptability directly supports Poland’s strategic ambition to maintain a robust defense industry while ensuring interoperability with NATO standards.

Strategically, the presentation of the portable Warmate TL at MSPO 2025 highlights Poland’s intent to consolidate its position as a key European hub for drone warfare technologies. In the broader geopolitical context marked by the war in Ukraine and NATO’s reinforcement of its eastern flank, Warsaw’s investment in loitering munition technologies enhances deterrence and offers allies a scalable solution for modern high-intensity operations. Beyond regional security, the system positions WB Group to compete in the expanding global loitering munition market, where demand has surged due to their proven effectiveness against both conventional and hybrid threats.

By introducing a portable launcher for the Warmate TL, Poland demonstrates not only industrial ingenuity but also a forward-looking approach to future combat requirements. The system’s ability to combine reconnaissance, precision strike, and operational flexibility answers directly to the evolving dynamics of the battlefield, where agility and survivability are paramount. For Poland and its partners, the Warmate TL represents a tangible capability to project force, complicate adversary planning, and reinforce the role of unmanned systems at the heart of modern warfare.