Lead

Poland is dramatically scaling up its drone capabilities, announcing a 250-fold increase in defense spending on drone systems and a new "drone armada" plan developed in partnership with Ukraine, according to officials and reports from The Guardian and TASS.

Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said the country's defense ministry increased spending on the production and purchase of drones and counter-drone systems from roughly 100 million zlotys ($27.7 million) in 2023 to agreements worth 25 billion zlotys ($6.9 billion) in 2026, as reported by TASS. The funding includes support from the SAFE program.

Coverage comparison

The Guardian and TASS both reported on Poland's drone ambitions but emphasized different aspects. The Guardian focused on Prime Minister Donald Tusk's announcement of a "drone armada" with Ukraine, highlighting the partnership's goal to leverage Ukrainian combat experience. TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported both the spending increase and the drone armada plan, with an emphasis on Poland's efforts to counter threats from Russia and Belarus.

The Guardian's coverage said Tusk declared plans to "build a drone armada" supported by Ukrainian technical and practical experience, so that "Ukraine, Poland, and Europe will be safe from air attacks." TASS reported Tusk's statement that the plan "will be implemented with the technical support and professionalism of our Ukrainian friends." Both outlets noted the project will receive financing, including from EU funds.

TASS also reported that counter-drone systems are to be deployed along Poland's borders with Russia and Belarus, while attack and reconnaissance drones are being procured in large numbers for the Polish army. The agency cited a December 2025 statement from the Polish Development Fund saying the country's industry can currently produce no more than 1,600 drones per month, and scaling up mass production could take from several months to several years.

Key claims

  • Poland's Defense Ministry increased spending on drone systems 250-fold over the past three years. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said spending grew from roughly 100 million zlotys in 2023 to 25 billion zlotys in 2026, as reported by TASS.
  • Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to build a "drone armada" in partnership with Ukraine, with the project supported by Ukrainian technical and practical experience, according to The Guardian and TASS.
  • The drone armada project will receive financing, including from EU funds, Tusk said, as reported by TASS.
  • Poland aims to gain advantage over Moscow in drone technologies, Tusk emphasized, according to TASS.
  • Counter-drone systems are planned for deployment along Poland's borders with Russia and Belarus, according to TASS.
  • Poland's industry is currently capable of producing no more than 1,600 drones per month, according to the Polish Development Fund, as reported by TASS.
  • The EU is separately looking at its own "drone wall," with growing urgency after disruptions caused by suspected Russian drones across the continent last year, The Guardian reported.
  • A Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant complex killed a transport worker, according to the plant's Moscow-installed authorities, as reported by The Guardian.
  • The plant's power transmission line was disconnected, causing the plant to switch to blackout mode for an hour and a half, The Guardian reported.

Perspectives

Polish government (via Donald Tusk and Cezary Tomczyk): Poland is enhancing its defense capabilities in response to Russian aggression, with the drone armada and increased spending designed to protect Polish skies and gain a technological edge over Moscow.

Russian state media (TASS): Coverage frames Poland's moves as defensive measures against perceived threats from Russia and Belarus, while also noting Poland's production limitations and the potential for escalation in regional tensions.