GLADIUS, FLYEYE and WARMATE – The Largest Unmanned Systems Contracts Ever Signed
In the presence of government representatives, Poland’s Armament Agency signed contracts with WB GROUP for the delivery of new reconnaissance-strike unmanned systems. These agreements represent the largest procurement of such capabilities not only in the history of the Polish Armed Forces, but also in Europe. The contracts will be financed through the European Union’s SAFE instrument.
On 28 May in Ożarów Mazowiecki, Piotr Wojciechowski, President of WB GROUP, and Major General Artur Kuptel, Head of the Armament Agency of the Ministry of National Defence, acting on behalf of the State Treasury, signed three contracts for the delivery of unmanned systems. These are the largest contracts for comprehensive reconnaissance-strike solutions ever concluded in Poland and across Europe.
“The SAFE mechanism is based on joint procurement. In May, the phase of individual contracts – under which a single Member State, such as Poland, could purchase specific products – will come to an end. After that, we will enter a new chapter of international contracts. We have just returned from Canada, where the Canadian side declared its intention to procure drones from WB. Today, further declarations were made by additional partners from the European Union,” said Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka.
The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Paweł Bejda, Government Plenipotentiary for the Security Enhancement Instrument Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, representatives of the Armament Agency, and employees of WB GROUP.
“I am proud to be here, in a company that has become a flagship of the Polish economy, as we see every time we go abroad. We hear it every day from Polish soldiers. There is no better recommendation than that of a Polish soldier. If they speak highly of your equipment, the entire world will speak highly of it – and indeed, it already does,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz following the signing.
Under the SAFE-funded contracts with the Armament Agency, WB GROUP will deliver its flagship products: hundreds of WARMATE loitering munition systems, nearly 200 FLYEYE unmanned reconnaissance systems, and twelve battery-level fire units of the GLADIUS reconnaissance-strike unmanned system.
“This event is of special significance to us. It is a great recognition of the work of our engineers, specialists, and all our employees. The Polish Armed Forces have decided to procure modern equipment that has been combat-proven and highly valued by its users. Moreover, we are committed to its further development to make it even more advanced and effective,” said Piotr Wojciechowski, President of WB GROUP, after the ceremony.
The signed contracts will provide a major impetus for further growth, expansion of production capacities, and further development of the expertise of the teams that have been designing and developing unmanned systems in Poland for years. Contracts of this scale offer greater predictability for research and development investments and enable broader cooperation with domestic partners forming the supply chain for advanced defence technologies.
“The security aspect is particularly important. By strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities, we enhance the security of all of us – our families, local communities, and the country as a whole. Contracts related to GLADIUS, FLYEYE, and WARMATE mean jobs for our colleagues in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Czechowice-Dziedzice, Gliwice, and Gdynia. They also create opportunities for smaller locations such as Lipka Krajeńska. These funds will not remain solely within our company – they will flow into local economies, creating jobs, supporting local suppliers and entrepreneurs, and driving economic growth,” added the President of WB GROUP.
The foundation of WB GROUP’s success lies in its proprietary technologies, engineering expertise, and scalable manufacturing capabilities. Combined with the newly signed contracts, these strengths will enable the company to execute further programmes for the Polish Armed Forces and expand cooperation with international partners, supporting the development of defence capabilities across NATO and strengthening the Alliance’s eastern flank.
GLADIUS – A Unique European Reconnaissance-Strike System
The first contract signed in Ożarów Mazowiecki covers the delivery of 12 battery-level fire units of the GLADIUS reconnaissance-strike unmanned system, which will be delivered to the Polish Armed Forces by 2030.
GLADIUS is a highly advanced unmanned system unique in Europe, developed in part based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. It integrates reconnaissance, command, and precision strike capabilities within a single network-centric architecture.
The system’s advantage does not stem from individual unmanned platforms alone, but from the full integration of sensors, effectors, and command-and-control systems. This integration enables the creation of a modern find-identify-strike chain fully aligned with NATO and EU standards.
GLADIUS battery modules are designed for precision engagement of targets and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Imaging, radar, and electronic reconnaissance missions will be conducted using, among other platforms, FT-5 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles.
WB GROUP will supply not only systems already known to the Polish Armed Forces, but also new effectors, including those developed under the GLADIUS 2 programme, capable of engaging selected high-value targets at distances of several hundred kilometres from the launch point.
All unmanned platforms within the GLADIUS system will be integrated with the TOPAZ battlefield management system already in service with the Polish Armed Forces. Each battery module will include launchers, command vehicles, ammunition vehicles, technical support vehicles, and a stock of strike UAVs.
FLYEYE – Expanding Tactical Reconnaissance Capabilities
The second contract covers the delivery of 190 FLYEYE unmanned aerial systems.
Most of the systems will be delivered to the operational forces and the Territorial Defence Forces. For the first time, however, the FLYEYE system developed in Gliwice will also be fielded by reconnaissance platoons of tank battalions.
FLYEYE systems are designed for airborne ISR missions using electro-optical payloads capable of day-and-night observation and image recording.
The system has been extensively tested by the Polish Armed Forces and has been used in combat conditions for more than a decade, including in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
WARMATE – Hundreds of Loitering Munition Systems
The third contract signed on 28 May concerns the delivery of more than 400 WARMATE loitering munition systems.
WARMATE is designed to identify and engage targets, including lightly armoured vehicles and enemy infantry, depending on the warhead configuration selected for the mission.
Within the Polish Armed Forces, WARMATE is used both as a man-portable system and as a vehicle-integrated solution.
The system features advanced control modules that automate most phases of flight and support the operator during target engagement.
Operation is conducted in real time using a live video feed. The operator retains full control over the system and can switch between a reusable reconnaissance mode and a one-way combat mode depending on mission requirements.
Photos: Krzysztof Gumul/WCEO, Maciej Smolarczyk, WB GROUP