The Polish government has signed a $310-million procurement agreement with General Atomics for an undisclosed number of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones.
The American firm will deliver the systems by the first quarter of 2027, replacing an unknown number of MQ-9A Reapers leased from the US in 2023.
The MQ-9As were leased for $70.6 million to bolster the reconnaissance capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces.
“The MQ-9B unmanned aerial systems will enable the acquisition of reconnaissance data in the field of image reconnaissance through the use of optoelectronic heads and [Synthetic Aperture Radar], and in the field of radio-electronic reconnaissance,” the Polish military stated.
“Additionally, it can also hit ground and sea targets from the air using a number of air combat assets such as guided missiles or bombs.The detailed specification of the system is classified information.”
Once delivered, the Sky Guardians will add significant capability to the drone force Warsaw is planning to launch in 2025.
The new military component will integrate various unmanned systems, including aerial, land, naval surface, and underwater.
Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said last month that the Polish army is putting in place a drone military inspector to coordinate their employment.
The MQ-9B Sky Guardian has advanced capabilities, including the Lynx multi-mode radar, automatic take-off and landing capabilities, and an electro-optical/infrared sensor.
The drone’s stated range is 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles/1,850 kilometres), and its operational altitude is 25,000 feet (7,600 meters).
It can fly nonstop for up to 40 hours via satellite in all types of weather, making it useful for long-duration operations, surveillance, and ground force support.
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