Poland Plans Drones for Every Military Squad, Announces Civilian Drone Legion

Poland plans to equip every military squad with drones and establish a civilian Drone Legion to support its armed forces during a potential conflict, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on October 14, 2026.

The announcement came during the Blue Eye-26 military exercise at the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade in Nowy Glinnik, near Tomaszów Mazowiecki, where Polish forces demonstrated the operational use of first-person-view (FPV), micro and mini drones alongside ground units and military helicopters.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said integrating unmanned systems into military formations had become a priority, citing lessons from the war in Ukraine. According to the minister, Poland allocated approximately PLN 100 million to drone and counter-drone systems in 2023, compared with PLN 26 billion designated for developing these capabilities in 2026.

Civilian Drone Legion to Support Armed Forces

The planned Drone Legion will bring together civilian drone operators with relevant skills and certifications, including volunteer firefighters, civil defense personnel and recreational drone pilots.

Unlike regular military formations, the initiative is intended to create a pool of trained civilians capable of supporting Poland's armed forces during a crisis or armed conflict.

Brigadier General Witold Bartoszek, who heads Poland's Unmanned Weapons Systems Inspectorate, has been tasked with developing the initiative. It will follow a model similar to Poland's existing Cyber Legion and Medical Legion programs.

Drone Integration and Military Training

During Blue Eye-26, Polish troops tested cooperation between unmanned aerial systems, ground formations and AW149 military helicopters. The exercises focused on reconnaissance, information sharing and coordinating manned and unmanned platforms in operational environments.

Poland is also expanding drone laboratories within military units, allowing soldiers and engineers to modify, test and adapt unmanned systems to operational requirements.

Kosiniak-Kamysz has additionally ordered an urgent strategic review covering three areas: drone and counter-drone capabilities, low-cost long-range precision strike systems and artificial intelligence.

The Defense Ministry has not announced a specific deadline for equipping every military squad with drones or provided details on the Drone Legion's recruitment structure and operational readiness.

Source: Polish Ministry of National Defence, October 14, 2026