Polish drone manufacturers are heavily relying on combat experience from Ukraine, but the state’s bureaucratic procedures are failing to keep pace. Despite a government attempt to speed up military drone testing, the new pathway remains largely an intention rather than a working system.
The Ukrainian front has become the most important testing ground for Polish drone producers. Companies like MSP InnTech, which supplies tactical drones and loitering munitions to Ukrainian units, release new iterations every quarter based on direct feedback from the battlefield. Marcin Szender, CEO of MSP InnTech, said that Poland is not taking full advantage of this knowledge.
Decyzja 123 remains an intention
Last autumn, the Ministry of National Defence introduced simplified procedures for testing and approving unmanned systems in the Polish Armed Forces. Known as Decyzja 123, it was meant to allow domestic manufacturers to submit drones and anti-drone systems directly for military trials. But the capacity of this mechanism is too low to make a real difference.
– This is a good initiative, but for now it remains mostly an intention. Intention alone is not enough if it does not translate into real and swift action – said Szender. According to entrepreneurs, the procedure gets stuck at the administrative analysis stage. The process takes too long and does not give the manufacturer a clear decision on whether the equipment can be prepared for military deployment.
Ukrainian battlefield as a testing ground
Adam Tomaszewski, system architect at Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 2, noted that experiences from Ukraine highlight the weaknesses of large drones like Bayraktar TB2. However, this does not mean they should be written off. Their role is shifting towards operations outside direct combat.
– A drone of this class is not only used in real armed conflict but also for everything happening around the battlefield. It provides full situational awareness – he explained. In Poland, Bayraktars are already used for peacetime missions, such as monitoring the recent forest fire near Wołomin. They should remain part of a broader drone ecosystem alongside FPVs, strike drones and other unmanned systems.
Tomaszewski added that Polish industry has the competence to participate in large drone projects, but mainly as a subcontractor for components and servicing, not as a prime integrator. The barriers are scale, infrastructure, staffing and production organisation.
Barriers to scaling up production
Flytronic from the WB Group, the most recognised Polish drone maker active in Ukraine, has been forced to rethink its supply chain. Marcin Dziekański, Warmate project manager at Flytronic, said that the scale of military orders, including from the Polish army, has pushed the company to secure its supply chain and keep key processes in-house.
– At the current stage of the company’s development, critical technologies cannot be easily outsourced. Our advantage, security of supply and further growth depend on them – he stressed. Flytronic operates a research and development centre in Gliwice, relying mainly on local engineers from the Silesian University of Technology.
The biggest challenge for the entire industry remains production volume. Polish companies have proven they can innovate, but state procurement procedures have not kept up with the rapid pace of technological change seen on the battlefield.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. Spiffy Digital Creative / Shutterstock
