Poland is bolstering its defenses against drone incursions with the deployment of a new anti-drone system, “San,” and the integration of MEROPS systems along its eastern border. While officials tout the advancements as a significant step forward in national security, concerns are emerging regarding the timeline for full operational capability and the readiness of the acquired technology.
Tests of drones, anti-drone systems, and autonomous solutions were held Thursday at the Military Institute of Technical Armament in Zielonka, according to reports. The “San” system is slated to be 90% funded through European SAFE program resources.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Deputy Minister of Defence Cezary Tomczyk attended the demonstration. Following the event, Tusk emphasized the need to maximize the potential Poland now possesses in anti-drone technology, stating, “The need is here and now, immediately, to make the most of the potential…that Poland demonstrates today on a continental scale.”
However, not all observers share the optimism. Commander Maksymilian Dura, a defense expert with Defence24, cautioned against unbridled enthusiasm. Speaking on Polsat News, Dura explained that the presented equipment is not yet fully integrated into the armed forces. “These are things that have not yet been put into service,” he said. “Practically nothing of what has been purchased is ready for use… We are only at the beginning of the road. We bought something that doesn’t really exist.”
Dura questioned the feasibility of deploying 18 “San” batteries by the end of the year, a timeline previously suggested by defense officials. “I don’t know who misled the Minister of Defence to declare that 18 San batteries will be ready by the end of the year. For me, it is unfeasible, and we are saying so, not just me,” he stated.
The “San” program is largely financed through the European SAFE program, which Dura described as “the best loan You can get.” He stressed the importance of responsible spending, adding, “We have never had a better loan in history.”
The deployment of MEROPS anti-drone systems on NATO’s eastern flank was announced earlier in November 2025 by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to Col. Mark McLellan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at NATO Allied Land Command, these systems offer “very accurate detection” and a cost-effective means of neutralizing drones, being “a lot cheaper than flying an F-35 into the air to take them down with a missile.”
These developments come amid increasing concerns about Russian hybrid warfare tactics, including reconnaissance flights and drone incursions near Poland’s borders. Reports from early 2026 indicate frequent drone appearances near military bases and airports in Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, with some officials attributing these incidents to Russian intelligence. The Polish government views these actions as probing exercises designed to test air-defense reactions and gauge responses from European and NATO forces.
The need for robust anti-drone defenses is further underscored by the challenges European nations face in responding to these incursions. Legal and bureaucratic hurdles, such as restrictions on military action within national borders and a lack of specialized training and resources for law enforcement, complicate efforts to effectively counter drone threats. Sweden’s deployment of a domestically manufactured counterdrone system equipped with machine guns is being considered as a potential solution to minimize the expenditure of costly missiles.
