Head of the Ministry of National Defense: Ukrainians have achieved enormous success in the production of drones, we want to learn from them

Ukrainians have achieved enormous success in the production of drones and its acceleration, we want to learn from them – noted the Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the context of the drone armada project. He emphasized that drone troops have already been established in Poland and financing for drone systems has been increased.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the head of the government of Ukraine, Julia Swyrydenko, announced during the Road to URC conference on Monday in Rzeszów that Poland and Ukraine will build a joint drone armada, combining Polish financing with Ukrainian frontline experience. The project will also be supported by the EU defense fund.

When asked at Monday's press conference about the implementation of the drone armada, the head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that this project “is already being implemented.” He recalled that in January last year established drone troops – the drone troops inspectorate operating at the General Command deals with unmanned systems in the air, on land and at sea, as well as anti-drone systems.

– We want to learn from the Ukrainians, because if they have achieved enormous success in something, it is in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles and in accelerating it – said Kosiniak-Kamysz. He emphasized the need for a “swarm of drones” for Poland, which could, for example, protect Apache helicopters and perform reconnaissance.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the presence of drones is being developed in all branches of the Polish armed forces in many formats, including: through drone training for soldiers. Among other activities, he also mentioned: piloting for young people on drones in military classes, drone laboratories, such as in Tomaszów Mazowiecki in the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, or changing regulations to facilitate training in the use of drones.

The minister pointed out that, in addition to flying drones, Poland has “very good experience” with land, water and underwater drones. He emphasized that Ukraine has achieved success “especially in this underwater domain.”

Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the Ministry of National Defense will develop autonomous systems and strive to integrate research centers. – We have increased the financing of drone and anti-drone systems from tens of millions to billions of zlotys – this will happen within these two years – he added. In this context, he emphasized the importance of the EU SAFE armament loan program, a large part of which is to be allocated to the SAN anti-drone program.

Prime Minister Tusk emphasized on Monday that a modern fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles is to ensure the safety of Poland and Europe. The drone armada project is based on the unique know-how of Ukraine, which has been repelling Russian aggression for 50 months. – It is with great satisfaction that I can announce today that the Polish plan to build a drone armada will be a plan that will also be supported by the technical thought and drone competences of our Ukrainian friends. We will invest in this with common European and Polish money and, as I said, Ukraine's competences and capabilities, announced the head of government.

During the Road to URC conference, an agreement was signed establishing the Podkarpackie Competence Center – it will be the country's first comprehensive system for testing and implementing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone services, integrating science, local governments and industry. (PAP)

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