New Warsaw centre to lead deployment of Poland’s Shahed-style UAV

Poland is nearing completion of a domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicle modelled on the “Shahed”-type drone, as part of a broader effort to expand its autonomous military capabilities.

According to Polish media, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the system will be deployed by the newly established Centre for Autonomous Systems.

Based in Warsaw, the centre is designed to integrate the expertise of military structures, research institutes, the armed forces, and domestic industry. Its mandate includes the development of a full spectrum of unmanned platforms, covering aerial, ground, surface, and underwater systems.

The minister stated that the centre’s initial priority will be to bring the PL-Argonia project—described as a “Polish Shahed”—to operational readiness and deployment.

He emphasised that unmanned technologies should play a central role across all branches and operational domains of the armed forces. In line with this strategy, Poland’s Ministry of Defence plans to allocate 25 billion zlotys (approximately €5.8 billion) in 2026 for the development of drones, autonomous systems, and counter-drone capabilities. The funding will be provided under the European Union’s SAFE rearmament program.

By Tamilla Hasanova