Poland is entering the final phase of developing a national drone intended as an equivalent to the Iranian-made Shahed. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the progress on Polish Radio, stressing the need to transition the system into operational use as quickly as possible.
The effort is a central priority for the newly established Center for Autonomous Systems in Warsaw, which unites military institutes, scientists, and industry experts to accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies. Reflecting this urgency, funding has risen sharply: from about $27 million allocated for drones in 2023 to a planned $6.7 billion in 2026. These funds cover drones, autonomous systems, and counter-drone capabilities, including an anti-drone shield along Poland’s eastern border.
Although the minister did not name the platform, the program likely refers to PLargonia, first unveiled at MSPO 2025. Featuring a delta-wing design, it is intended for both training and combat. The AT variant serves as an aerial target for air defence training, while the OWA strike version carries a warhead and functions as a loitering munition.
PLargonia is powered by a 32-horsepower piston engine with a rear propeller. It has a 2.2-meter wingspan, 2.6-meter length, and a maximum takeoff weight of 85 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 16–20 kilograms. It cruises at 185 km/h and has a range of up to 900 kilometers, launching from ground platforms without requiring airfields.
This positions it between expendable munitions and costly long-range weapons. Its range allows strikes on logistics hubs, radars, and command posts, while its relatively low cost and mobility support dispersed launches, saturation attacks, and coordinated operations with other systems.
Sources: UNITED24MEDIA; Army Recognition