A Polish program to develop directed energy weapons capable of taking down drones 'like flies’ was halted in 2020 by a deputy minister’s decision, according to Professor Jerzy Małachowski, director of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR). Speaking at the European Economic Congress, he argued that had the program continued, Poland would not need to scramble fighter jets – including F-35s – to intercept drones violating its airspace.
Małachowski recalled the night of September 9-10, 2025, when Russian drones crossed into Polish territory during a mass attack on targets in Ukraine. About 20 incursions were recorded, and Polish and NATO aircraft, including Dutch-operated F-35s, were scrambled to shoot them down. The director described this as a direct consequence of a political decision made six years earlier.
– The directed energy program was killed by a decision of one deputy minister – said Małachowski during the EEC debate. He explained that the initiative covered both jammers and electromagnetic wave-based directed energy systems. – When a drone enters that electromagnetic field, it falls like a fly – he added.
Technology at the finish line
According to Małachowski, the technology was nearly complete and included a laser-based capability to destroy drones. – Six years were wasted – he said, calling for accountability. – We have not held those people responsible for the fact that today we have to shoot at drones with missiles from expensive fighter jets.
The NCBR currently runs 35 drone and anti-drone programs and plans to spend over 1.5 billion złoty in 2026 on defense, security, and dual-use technologies. Małachowski emphasized that stopping the directed energy program forced Poland to rely on costly, outdated methods to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles.
Lessons for future procurement
The incident has sparked debate about how Poland prioritizes and funds defense innovation. Critics argue that halting promising indigenous programs in favor of off-the-shelf purchases may leave the country vulnerable to emerging threats. Drones have become a critical weapon in modern warfare, as seen in the conflict in Ukraine, where cheap loitering munitions and reconnaissance UAVs pose a constant challenge.
Małachowski did not name the deputy minister responsible but stated that the decision was purely political and not based on technical or financial constraints. The NCBR chief stressed that Poland must learn from such mistakes to avoid repeating them, especially as the country rapidly increases its defense budget.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PTWP
