Poland plans to build a unique drone defense system on its eastern border by 2027. SAN or “System Anty dronowy" will provide full protection against drones using machine guns, missiles and jammers. It includes 18 anti-drone batteries, 52 explosive systems and 18 command units, as well as over 700 vehicles, writes the German "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAC).
System based on experience from Ukraine
"This is a historic moment", said Prime Minister Donald Tusk, quoted by the publication. “Today we are witnessing a complete breakthrough in the effective defense of the Polish, European and eastern borders of NATO. Poland wants to ensure not only the protection of its own borders, but also to impose a new standard for NATO anti-drone systems“, the Polish Prime Minister also emphasized.
The Polish system is being built on the basis of the experience gained in Ukraine, specified Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosyniak-Kamiś. “Thanks to them, Poland is introducing a modern multi-level anti-drone defense system that provides real protection of airspace and the most important state facilities“, he added.
In September, Russian drones once again violated Polish airspace, and three of them were shot down. Warsaw and Brussels accused Russia of deliberate provocation, and the incident once again raised the question of the EU and NATO's ability to respond to drone attacks and at what cost.
After the incident, Vladislav Kosyniak-Kamysh traveled to Ukraine. In recent years, Ukraine has gained significant experience in protecting itself from drones, which have become the main weapon in the war that Russia is waging against its neighbor. The Ukrainians manage to shoot down Russian drones at a much lower cost, unlike NATO countries, which use missiles worth hundreds of thousands of euros to neutralize cheap Iranian “Shahed” drones.
Poland gives billions for defense
“SAN is a means of much more effective, cheap and intelligent response to air attacks“, Tusk announced. A total of 15 billion zlotys have been allocated for this purpose, which is equivalent to about 3.6 billion euros, a large part of which comes from the EU’s SAFE program. Through it, a total of 150 billion euros were allocated to member states in the form of long-term loans to strengthen defense capabilities. The construction is being undertaken by a consortium of Polish and Scandinavian manufacturers and will begin this year, the Polish prime minister said.
The system is "in line with the new Baltic Sea security concept and is a response to the most serious geostrategic challenges on NATO's northern flank," Kosyniak-Kamisz said. He stressed that SAN is an important part of the overall Polish air defense, including an air and missile defense system, for which a total of 250 billion zlotys, or about 60 billion euros, have been allocated over ten years.
Warsaw's plans also include the purchase of eight American Patriot air defense systems, two of which have already been put into service in December 2025. They are considered a universal system against enemy aircraft and missiles, but are unsuitable and, above all, too expensive for protection against drones.
Poland already has the largest land army in the EU
The Polish air defense modernization program is the most expensive, but also one of the most important for Europe and NATO, military experts tell FACS. In a few years, Poland could have one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world. Donald Tusk's government has set a goal of increasing the country's army from 250,000 to 300,000 by 2035. Poland already has the largest land army in the EU and the third largest in NATO after the United States and Turkey.
Poland is the fifth-largest country in the EU and the sixth-largest economy in the Community. Warsaw plans to spend nearly 5% of its gross domestic product on defense, the FACS also said. By this indicator, the country ranks first among all EU and NATO countries, followed by Lithuania and Estonia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also announced the country's intention to build the strongest conventional army in Europe. The Federal Republic's defense budget for this year amounts to a record 108 billion euros.