Poland has signed a major agreement with a consortium comprising Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Polish state-owned defense group PGZ to acquire a new counter-UAS system designed to strengthen the country’s airspace protection.
The contract, signed Jan. 30 in the presence of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, supports the development of the San anti-drone system, a program valued at approximately PLN 15 billion ($4.2 billion). Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026.
The procurement follows a series of Russian drone incursions linked to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which have instilled a growing concern among NATO’s eastern members over the threat posed by small drones.
“We are talking about 18 anti-drone batteries, 52 firing platoons, 18 command platoons, 703 vehicles, of which around 400 are based on the Jelcz military truck platform and 300 are based on the Legwan light reconnaissance vehicle,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said during the signing ceremony. “All of this means that we will be able to react in an extremely effective way against the threats that originate from the east.”
He described a September 2025 incident, when Russian drones violated Polish airspace, as a “turning point” that prompted deeper research and integration work to deliver a cohesive defensive capability.
Strengthening ties with Norwegian defense
Named after a river in eastern Poland, the San suite is intended to form a layered and integrated counter-drone architecture developed by PGZ alongside partners including APS from Gdynia and Kongsberg. The Norwegian company’s portion of the contract is valued at roughly NOK 16 billion ($1.66 billion).
According to Kongsberg, the batteries will incorporate multiple effectors, including 35mm, 30mm and 12.7mm guns, missiles, interceptor drones and other solutions. The system is based on the company’s Protector family of weapons, including the Medium Caliber Turret (MCT30) and Remote Weapon Station.
Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said the acquisition “confirms Poland’s position as a regional hub for counter-drone innovation and strengthens Kongsberg’s positions as one of Europe’s leading providers of anti-drone solutions.”
Tusk framed the partnership as part of a broader regional security strategy, noting that cooperation with Norway aligns with Poland’s efforts to deepen defense ties with Scandinavian and Baltic states. He pointed to Warsaw’s selection of Sweden’s A26 Blekinge submarine design in late 2025 as another example of this emerging security architecture.
PGZ stated that roughly 60% of the San system’s components will be supplied by companies within the Polish defense group, with full delivery expected within 24 months of the contract signing.
Building a layered defense on the eastern flank
The program represents another layer in Poland’s expanding air defense network. Warsaw has already procured CAMM missiles and iLaunchers for the Narew short-range air defense system and Pilica+ very-short-range batteries from domestic industry. These capabilities complement the Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries acquired under the Wisła mid-range program, with six additional batteries planned.
“We are building another layer of the air defense system. We have the Wisła, we have the Narew, we have the Pilica, and we are now adding the San,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
Poland intends to spend approximately PLN 250 billion on air defense modernization, potentially making it the largest military acquisition effort in the country’s history. For 2026, the government has allocated about PLN 200.1 billion to defense, representing more than 4.8% of national GDP.
A significant share of funding for new acquisitions, including the San program, is expected to come from roughly €44 billion in low-cost loans provided under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, highlighting the scale of investment European states are directing toward counter-drone and integrated air defense capabilities.
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Post Image – Components of the San anti-drone system (Post Image Credit: X/Ministerstwo Aktywów Państwowych)
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