IRIA News

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Poland has signed a major contract with domestic defense manufacturer WB Group to deliver 10,000 Warmate loitering munitions to the Polish Army.

The deal, hailed as one of the largest of its kind in Europe, will see the Warmate kamikaze drones delivered in batches of 1,000 units annually through 2035. These loitering munitions will arrive in their latest upgraded configuration, incorporating the most recent advances in drone warfare technology.

Upon delivery, the Warmate systems will be integrated into the Polish Army’s arsenal through two key deployment formats, as a standalone system for dismounted infantry units and as a vehicle-mounted capability for mobile and mechanized operations. This dual integration approach ensures maximum flexibility and allows frontline units to operate with enhanced precision and lethality.

The Ministry of National Defense emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition, stating that the drones would be used to “identify and neutralize threats ranging from light armored targets to enemy infantry units.”

Specifications of the Warmate system

The Warmate loitering munition, developed by WB Group, represents a versatile, lightweight, and cost-effective solution for modern combat environments. The drone is 3.6 feet in length with a wingspan of 5.2 feet, making it compact enough for rapid deployment by small units without compromising on operational effectiveness.

Weighing just 6 kilograms at takeoff, the Warmate is designed to carry multiple warhead configurations, including standard high-explosive and thermobaric bombs. This adaptability allows it to tailor its destructive capability to the mission at hand, whether targeting enemy vehicles, entrenched infantry positions, or lightly armored platforms.

An electric motor powers the Warmate, providing a quiet operational profile, a ceiling of up to 984 feet, and a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour. With a strike radius of up to 30 kilometers, the drone allows operators to engage threats from a safe standoff distance.

Technical details:

• Operational RLOS range: 30 km
• Operational speed: 80 km/h
• Propulsion: Electric motor
• Wingspan: 1.6 m
• Fuselage length: 1.1 m
• Maximum take-off weight: 5.7 kg
• Operational ceiling: 150 – 300 m AGL
• Warheads types: High Explosive / Termobaric
• Maximum speed during attack: 150 km/h

Poland’s defense modernization

The purchase of 10,000 Warmate drones is not only a strategic military decision but also a political message. It underscores Poland’s commitment to defense modernization and local defense industry development, particularly in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Poland, one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers and a key NATO ally, has consistently increased its defense spending and procurement efforts. The Warmate deal follows other major acquisitions, including U.S. Abrams tanks, South Korean K2 Black Panther tanks, and FA-50 fighter jets. However, unlike those platforms, the Warmate system is domestically produced, strengthening national manufacturing capability and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers for critical battlefield tools.

Lessons from Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has served as a real-world proving ground for loitering munitions. The success of such systems, including Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2, U.S. Switchblade drones, and Warmate platforms, has reshaped the way modern militaries approach air-ground integration, artillery support, and tactical reconnaissance.

Loitering munitions are particularly effective in contested environments where traditional air support may be constrained or unavailable. Their ability to remain airborne while waiting for the right moment to strike offers a significant tactical advantage. They also introduce an element of psychological warfare, as enemy units must constantly remain alert for invisible aerial threats.

For Poland, which shares a border with Belarus and remains within the strategic orbit of Russian military activities, enhancing autonomous and precision strike capabilities is both a deterrent and a force multiplier. The ability to field thousands of loitering drones across various units dramatically increases Poland’s ability to respond rapidly and flexibly to a range of combat scenarios.