Poland to receive first MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone in January

Poland will receive its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle in January 2027, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The delivery will be made to the 12th Unmanned Aircraft Base in Mirosławiec.

The contract, signed in December 2024 with the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is valued at approximately 310 million dollars. It covers three aircraft, two ground control stations, and three years of operational support. These new platforms are intended to replace the MQ-9A Reaper drones currently being leased by the military.

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian features advanced reconnaissance capabilities, including imagery intelligence (IMINT) via electro-optical heads and SAR radar, as well as signals intelligence (SIGINT). The aircraft has a wingspan of 24 meters, can fly for over 40 hours, and utilizes satellite communications for long-range operations. To support these systems, approximately one billion PLN has been invested in infrastructure at the Mirosławiec base.