Poland preparing to sign contract for Europe’s largest anti-drone system
Poland is preparing to sign a contract for what it describes as Europe’s largest integrated counter-unmanned aerial system. The program aims to address growing drone threats along Poland’s eastern and northern borders.
Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw expects to sign a contract by the end of January with an international consortium to build what he described as the largest anti-drone system in Europe. The agreement follows concluded negotiations with the consortium and is framed as addressing an urgent operational need. The investment for the wider anti-drone “shield” on Poland’s eastern border has previously been estimated at around €2 billion.
System design and deployment context
According to senior Polish defence officials, the forthcoming capability — dubbed internally as part of the “San” programme — is meant to detect and neutralise hostile unmanned systems and will be deployed along the northern and eastern frontiers. Initial operational capabilities could be established in the summer, with full deployment planned within roughly two years.
Escalating unmanned aerial threats
The initiative is tied to a string of Russian drone incursions that have penetrated Polish (and NATO) airspace, highlighting gaps in existing counter-UAS capabilities. European Commission leaders have also promoted a broader “drone wall” concept for EU border defence, though that faces political and technical hurdles.
Longer-term fortifications and capability build-out
Separate statements from the Polish Ministry of Defence foresee extensive anti-drone fortifications completed over the next 24 months, following intense recent threats and incursions.
