Poland Plans Acquisition of MQ-9 Reaper Drones for Eastern Border Surveillance

Poland to Acquire MQ-9 Reaper Drones Amid Security Concerns

Poland has announced plans to purchase an undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper drones from the United States through a confidential and expedited process. This decision comes in response to heightened concerns regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Polish Armed Forces will become the first military on NATO’s eastern flank to obtain medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with this acquisition.

Details on the MQ-9 Reaper Drones

The MQ-9 Reaper, produced by General Atomics, is designed for long-duration, high-altitude surveillance missions. According to the manufacturer, the drone has an endurance of 27 hours and can operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. It is capable of carrying a payload of up to 1,500 pounds, which includes munitions such as Hellfire and Griffin missiles. The Reaper has been extensively utilized in conflict zones including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Lieutenant Colonel Krzysztof Płatek, a spokesperson for the Armament Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defence, stated, “We want to urgently acquire these unmanned aerial vehicles, and we’re currently in talks with our American partners.” He emphasized that the acquisition is directly related to the security situation along Poland’s eastern border with Ukraine.

The Polish government has not disclosed the financial details of the purchase, but Płatek indicated that the country aims to expedite the acquisition process.

Recent Developments in Poland’s Military Procurement

This move to acquire combat UAVs follows Poland’s previous purchase of 24 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey last May. Under that contract, Poland is set to receive four sets of UAVs equipped with anti-tank missiles, with deliveries scheduled between 2022 and 2024.