“Later this month, in line with earlier announcements, the latest solutions from the market – now in the final stage of testing during the ‘Iron Defender-25’ exercise – will be delivered to the Polish Armed Forces. In the face of growing threats, we are simplifying the system for acquiring innovative technologies for the military. This way, Poland gains real capabilities to effectively respond to contemporary challenges,” emphasized Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk, commenting on the new regulations.
Photo: Ministry Of National Defence
New Decision
Decision No. 123/MON of September 12, 2025, on the organization and procedures for testing unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned weapon systems in the Polish Armed Forces, as well as counter-unmanned aerial vehicle and counter-unmanned weapon systems, clarifies the procedures arising from the Act of July 25, 2025, on special principles for the preparation and implementation of strategic investments for the needs of national defense or public security (the so-called Special Act), in force since September 6 of this year (Defense Investment Revolution: Poland Ramps Up for Rapid Military Growth).
According to Article 2(5) of the Special Act, in the case of procurement by the Polish Armed Forces of unmanned systems that have been positively tested and recommended by the military, and for which the Minister of National Defence has given approval, the provisions of the Public Procurement Law do not apply. It was therefore necessary to define, at the ministerial level, the meaning of the term ‘tested in the Polish Armed Forces’ and the procedures for such activities.
The adopted solutions provide that:
- tests will be conducted by organizational units of the Ministry of National Defence designated in the Homeland Defence Act,
- the process will be decentralized and parallel, covering various locations across the country,
- the procedure will be transparent, competitive, and uniform for all entities,
- manufacturers and suppliers will undergo simplified counterintelligence verification,
- the processes will be coordinated by the Inspectorate of Unmanned Weapon Systems of the General Command of the Armed Forces.
The new ministerial act will make it possible to consolidate previously dispersed competences in the area of unmanned systems testing, significantly accelerating the introduction of proven solutions into the Polish Armed Forces.
The implementation of the new testing rules will contribute to the faster saturation of the Polish Armed Forces with effective, modern, and proven unmanned systems, thereby increasing the safety of soldiers and the state’s defense potential.
Over 500 Innovative Project Proposals Supporting the Development of the East Shield
At the beginning of 2025, the Ministry of National Defence’s Department of Innovation announced a call for proposals for modern technology solutions that could support the implementation of strategic defense objectives under the National Deterrence and Defence Program East Shield. The initiative attracted enormous interest from manufacturers, suppliers, and academic institutions. By mid-year, more than half a thousand proposals had been submitted. Special expert groups from the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces evaluated these proposals, resulting in the selection of 200 solutions, nearly 40 of which are currently being tested during the exercise Iron Defender-25.
Testing Innovative Solutions During the Exercise Iron Defender-25
As part of the Iron Defender-25 exercise, tests are being conducted on modern technological solutions that may support the implementation of the strategic defense objectives of the National Deterrence and Defence Program East Shield. Several dozen proposals submitted this year to the Ministry of National Defence’s Department of Innovation have been selected by military expert groups as the most promising for enhancing the defense capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces.
The tests are being carried out by the 18th Mechanized Division and the Territorial Defence Forces, assessing the practical application of innovative tools and systems. Particular emphasis is placed on unmanned land and aerial systems, as well as radars, detectors, and other solutions that improve situational awareness and the effectiveness of defense operations.
MON upraszcza procedury zakupu dronów i systemów antydronowych
–@CTomczyk, sekretarz stanu MON podpisał decyzję dotyczącą testowania w #WojskoPolskie 🇵🇱 bezzałogowych statków powietrznych, bezzałogowych systemów uzbrojenia oraz środków ich zwalczania. Dzięki nowym przepisom… pic.twitter.com/b6xHuv9zsp— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) September 19, 2025
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