> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.adriadefense.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Poland Orders Passive Radars for NATO’s Eastern Border - URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/poland-orders-passive-radars-for-natos-eastern-border/ - Published: 2026-09-21T07:00:17.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-21T07:00:16.000Z - Description: Poland will acquire dozens of XY-Sensing passive radars to detect low-flying, low-signature aircraft along its eastern border under a framework deal through 2035. - Author: AdriaDefense Desk - Tags: Poland, CEE, Air Defense, Defense Industry, Industry Poland will acquire dozens of domestically developed passive coherent location radars from Warsaw-based XY-Sensing to strengthen air surveillance along its eastern border. The framework agreement, signed by the Polish Armament Agency on September 9 at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, will remain in force until 2035. The procurement gives a relatively small Polish technology company a role in one of NATO's most closely watched border regions. Unlike conventional active radars, the PCL systems can detect and track aircraft without transmitting their own radar signal. ## XY-Sensing will supply dozens of passive radars through 2035 The Polish Armament Agency signed the framework agreement with XY-Sensing during the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition, known as MSPO, in Kielce. The agreement covers the acquisition of dozens of Passive Coherent Locator, or PCL, radars for air surveillance, with particular emphasis on Poland's eastern border. The exact number of systems, contract value and delivery schedule have not been publicly disclosed. XY-Sensing is a Warsaw-based company established as a spin-off from Warsaw University of Technology. The university confirmed after MSPO that the agreement covers its spin-off's passive radar technology and described the system as a fully Polish-developed product. The procurement is notable because Poland is placing a domestic specialist company alongside much larger defense suppliers in the expansion of its air-surveillance architecture. ## PCL radars detect aircraft without transmitting Passive coherent location radar works differently from a conventional active surveillance radar. Instead of transmitting a radar signal and measuring its reflection from a target, PCL uses radio-frequency energy already present in the environment. Signals from civilian broadcast infrastructure, including FM radio and digital television transmitters, can act as illuminators of opportunity. When an aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle moves through that electromagnetic environment, the system analyzes changes in the received signals to determine the target's location and movement. Because the PCL sensor does not need to transmit its own radar signal, its position is more difficult to identify through conventional electronic support measures than that of an active radar. Poland's Armament Agency has identified low-altitude and low radar cross-section aircraft as particular targets for the new systems. The passive radars are intended to complement rather than replace active radar surveillance. That distinction is important. Passive sensors provide another source of tracking data, while active radars remain necessary components of a wider integrated air-surveillance and air-defense network. ## Poland is building multiple passive radar layers The XY-Sensing agreement is separate from Poland's much larger passive radar procurement for the NAREW short-range air-defense program. In September 2025, the Polish Ministry of National Defense signed a contract with the PGZ-NAREW consortium for 46 Passive Location Radars combining Passive Emitter Tracking and Passive Coherent Location technologies. That order includes 28 radars in the guaranteed portion and options for another 18\. The guaranteed order is valued at approximately PLN 3.9 billion gross, while the optional component is worth approximately PLN 1.9 billion gross. Deliveries are scheduled for 2030-2038. The distinction between the two programs is significant. The NAREW passive radars combine PCL with Passive Emitter Tracking, or PET. PET detects radio-frequency emissions produced by airborne targets themselves, including signals associated with onboard electronic systems. PCL instead exploits third-party transmissions already present in the environment. The XY-Sensing procurement therefore adds another passive surveillance layer rather than duplicating the existing NAREW radar order. [AdriaDefense previously reported on Poland's wider multi-layered counter-drone network along the eastern border](https://www.adriadefense.com/poland-launches-multi-layered-anti-drone-defence-network-along-eastern-border/). ## Passive sensing expands along NATO’s eastern flank The Polish procurement comes as NATO countries facing Russia and Belarus invest in additional ways to detect small and low-flying aerial targets. Lithuania announced in September that it would accelerate procurement of passive and short-range radars alongside interceptor drones as it strengthens its lower air-defense layer. [AdriaDefense reported on Lithuania's accelerated passive radar and drone interceptor procurement](https://www.adriadefense.com/lithuania-fast-tracks-drone-interceptors-and-new-radars/). Slovakia is also deploying low-altitude radar systems and personnel to Romania to strengthen surveillance near the Ukrainian border following repeated unmanned aircraft activity. [AdriaDefense previously reported on the Slovak radar deployment to Romania](https://www.adriadefense.com/slovakia-to-send-low-altitude-radars-to-romanias-border/). Commercial defense suppliers are responding to the same requirement. Finnish defense company Patria disclosed this month that an unidentified European NATO country had ordered its MUSCL passive radar system. [AdriaDefense covered the Patria MUSCL order on September 15](https://www.adriadefense.com/european-nato-country-orders-patria-passive-radar-system/). Together, the programs indicate growing interest in combining active radar coverage with sensors that can operate without continuously adding another transmitter to the electromagnetic environment. ## XY-Sensing brings university radar research into procurement The XY-Sensing agreement also illustrates a different element of Poland's defense-industrial expansion. Warsaw University of Technology identified XY-Sensing as one of its spin-off companies and highlighted the Armament Agency agreement as a major result from MSPO 2026. The company was founded in 2018 and specializes in passive sensing technology. Its transition from university-linked radar research to a long-term military procurement framework provides an example of how smaller Polish technology companies can enter national defense programs alongside established state-owned suppliers. XY-Sensing also signed a memorandum of understanding at MSPO with Australian electronic warfare technology company RFTEQ covering longer-term international cooperation. The Polish procurement does not yet disclose individual implementation orders under the framework agreement. Those follow-on contracts will determine the exact number of radars purchased, delivery schedule and eventual scale of XY-Sensing's role in Poland's eastern-border surveillance network. ## Poland’s passive radar procurement: Key questions ### What did Poland order from XY-Sensing? Poland signed a framework agreement covering dozens of XY-Sensing Passive Coherent Locator radars. The systems will support air surveillance, particularly along the country's eastern border. ### How does a passive PCL radar work? A PCL radar uses existing radio-frequency transmissions, such as FM radio and digital television signals, rather than transmitting its own radar signal. It analyzes how airborne objects affect those signals to detect and track them. ### Can passive radar detect drones? Poland says the XY-Sensing systems are intended to support detection of low-altitude aircraft and targets with a low radar cross-section. That category can include unmanned aircraft, although detection performance depends on factors including the target, geometry and available transmitters. ### Is the XY-Sensing radar part of Poland’s NAREW program? The newly announced XY-Sensing framework agreement is separate from the 2025 NAREW passive radar procurement. The NAREW order covers 46 PET/PCL radars from the PGZ-NAREW consortium, while the new agreement covers PCL systems from XY-Sensing.