Poland Acquires Shield AI V-BAT Drones for Baltic Naval Operations
Poland’s Armament Agency signed a $16 million contract with U.S.-based Shield AI to acquire V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing drones for the Polish Navy. The NATO Class I UAVs, featuring over 12 hours of endurance and heavy-fuel engines, will be deployed aboard a naval vessel for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in the Baltic Sea. Delivery is expected by late 2026. The purchase responds to rising hybrid threats, including sabotage of undersea infrastructure, and builds on the V-BAT’s proven performance in contested environments like Ukraine.
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Poland Acquires V-BAT Drones from Shield AI for Baltic Sea Naval Operations
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has awarded a contract to U.S.-based Shield AI to acquire V-BAT drones for the Polish Navy, making Poland the first NATO eastern flank country to operate the system. The drones will be deployed aboard a naval vessel to enhance maritime domain awareness and ISR capabilities in the Baltic Sea, where threats to critical infrastructure are increasing. The deal follows Prime Minister Donald Tusk's announcement that Shield AI offered Poland a role in the X-BAT autonomous fighter jet program, including potential manufacturing. Delivery of the system, comprising multiple platforms, ground control stations, antennas, spares, and maintenance equipment, is planned for later in 2026. Poland joins Greece, the Netherlands, the U.S. Navy, and Japan as operators of the V-BAT. Shield AI is also pursuing partnerships with Polish industry for future autonomy and defense programs. The acquisition aligns with Poland's broader push to accelerate unmanned systems purchases since launching the Drone Force in 2025.
Defense NewsPoland Buys V-BAT Drones to Enhance Baltic Sea Naval Operations
Poland has awarded a contract to US-based Shield AI to purchase V-BAT drones for its Navy, making it the first NATO eastern flank country to acquire this unmanned system. The drones will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to provide maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support in the Baltic Sea, where threats to critical energy and communications infrastructure are rising. Shield AI noted the V-BAT's proven capabilities in contested environments like Ukraine. The Armament Agency stated delivery of the system, including multiple platforms, is planned for late 2026. Poland joins Greece, the Netherlands, the US Navy, and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force as V-BAT operators. The contract follows Poland's recent establishment of a Drone Force and its participation in a US counter-drone initiative. Shield AI is also pursuing partnerships with Polish industry for future defense programs, following an offer for Poland to join its X-BAT autonomous fighter jet program.
C4ISRNetPoland Acquires Shield AI V-BAT Drones for Baltic Sea Naval Operations
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has awarded a contract to U.S. defense firm Shield AI to purchase V-BAT drones for the Polish Navy, making Poland the first NATO eastern flank country to acquire the system. The drones will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to enhance maritime domain awareness and provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support in the Baltic Sea, where threats to critical energy and communications infrastructure are increasing. Shield AI highlighted the V-BAT's proven capabilities in contested environments like Ukraine, including areas with disrupted GPS and communications. The delivery, comprising multiple platforms and associated equipment such as ground control stations and spare parts, is scheduled for later in 2026. Poland has accelerated its unmanned systems procurement since launching the Drone Force in 2025, and recently joined a Pentagon counter-drone initiative. Warsaw also recently received an offer from Shield AI to participate in the X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter jet program.
C4ISRNetPoland Buys V-BAT Drones to Enhance Baltic Sea Naval Operations
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has awarded a contract to U.S.-based Shield AI to acquire V-BAT drones for the Polish Navy, making Poland the first country on NATO's eastern flank to field the system. The drones will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to provide maritime domain awareness and ISR support, particularly in the Baltic Sea where threats against critical infrastructure are rising. Shield AI noted the V-BAT's proven capabilities in GPS-denied environments like Ukraine. The deal follows Prime Minister Tusk's announcement that Shield AI offered Poland a role in its X-BAT autonomous fighter jet program. Delivery of the system, including multiple platforms, ground control stations, antennas, and maintenance equipment, is scheduled for later in 2026. Poland has accelerated unmanned system purchases since launching its Drone Force in 2025 and recently joined the Pentagon's counter-drone initiative. Other V-BAT operators include Greece, the Netherlands, the U.S. Navy, and Japan.
C4ISRNetPoland acquires V-BAT drones to enhance Baltic Sea naval surveillance
The Polish Ministry of National Defence has awarded a contract to US-based Shield AI to purchase V-BAT drones for the Polish Navy, making Poland the first NATO eastern flank country to acquire the system. The drones will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to provide maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support. Shield AI CEO Ryan Tseng highlighted the V-BAT's proven capabilities in GPS- and communications-denied environments, noting increased security threats to Baltic energy and infrastructure. Delivery of the system, including multiple platforms and ground support equipment, is planned for later in 2026. Poland joins Greece, the Netherlands, the US Navy, and Japan as operators. The deal follows Poland's recent launch of a Drone Force and its participation in the Pentagon's counter-drone marketplace. Shield AI is also exploring partnerships with Polish industry for future autonomy and defense programs.
Defense NewsPoland acquires Shield AI V-BAT drones for Baltic Sea naval operations
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has awarded a contract to U.S.-based Shield AI to purchase V-BAT drones for the Polish Navy, making Poland the first NATO eastern flank country to acquire the system. The drones will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to enhance maritime domain awareness and ISR capabilities in the Baltic Sea, where threats to critical energy and communications infrastructure are rising. The delivery of the system, including multiple platforms, ground control stations, and support equipment, is scheduled for later in 2026. Poland already operates other unmanned systems and recently joined the Pentagon's counter-drone initiative. Shield AI is also pursuing partnerships with Polish industry for future autonomy and defense programs.
Defense NewsShield AI to supply V-BAT UAVs to Polish Navy
Poland's Armament Agency has finalized a contract with Shield AI to purchase V-BAT vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Polish Navy. The V-BAT is a small, portable tactical UAV designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. This procurement reflects Poland's ongoing military modernization efforts, particularly its naval capabilities, amid heightened security concerns in the Baltic region and broader European defense posture. The deal underscores deepening defense cooperation between Poland and the United States, with Shield AI as the American supplier. Financial details and delivery timelines were not disclosed in the initial announcement.
Naval TechnologyPoland Buys V-BAT Surveillance Drones in $16 Million Shield AI Deal
Poland has signed a $16 million contract with Shield AI to acquire V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing drones for its Navy, with delivery expected by the end of 2026. The deal, confirmed by Poland's Armament Agency, includes one full system set and several aerial platforms, making Poland one of the first European NATO allies to field the V-BAT in a dedicated naval role. The 73 kg drones, powered by a heavy-fuel engine with over 12 hours of endurance, will conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions from Polish Navy vessels in the Baltic Sea. The acquisition is driven by increased hybrid security threats, including suspected sabotage of undersea infrastructure. The V-BAT uses Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software and has proven effective in contested electronic warfare environments, including Ukraine, which is relevant given Russian electronic warfare capabilities in the Kaliningrad enclave.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsShield AI's V-BAT to support Polish naval operations
Shield AI announced that Poland's Armament Agency has signed a contract to acquire V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles for the Polish Navy. The V-BATs will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to provide maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support. The system is designed for contested electronic warfare environments, featuring a ducted-fan design, over 12 hours endurance, and a heavy-fuel engine. According to Shield AI's president, the V-BAT has proven capabilities in Ukraine and contested environments, and will serve as a force multiplier for Poland, Baltic Sea nations, and NATO against security threats to critical infrastructure. The Polish Navy joins other operators including Greece, the Netherlands, the US Navy, and Japan.
Naval NewsShield AI's V-BAT to support Polish naval operations
Shield AI announced that Poland's Armament Agency has signed a contract to acquire V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Polish Navy operations. The V-BATs will be deployed aboard a Polish naval vessel to provide maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support. Shield AI's president, Ryan Tseng, emphasized the system's proven capabilities in contested environments like Ukraine and its suitability for Baltic Sea operations amid increasing threats to critical infrastructure. The V-BAT is a NATO Class I VTOL UAS with over 12 hours endurance, a ducted-fan design, and heavy-fuel engine, designed for safe launch and recovery from ship decks and austere environments at lower cost than larger systems. Poland joins Greece, the Netherlands, the US Navy, and Japan in operating the V-BAT.
Naval NewsShield AI's V-BAT to Support Polish Naval Operations
Shield AI announced that Poland's Armament Agency has signed a contract to acquire V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Polish Navy. The V-BATs will be deployed aboard a Polish Navy vessel to enhance maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Shield AI's president, Ryan Tseng, highlighted the system's proven performance in contested environments like Ukraine and its suitability for Baltic Sea operations, where threats to critical infrastructure are increasing. The V-BAT is a NATO Class I VTOL system with over 12 hours of endurance, a heavy-fuel engine, and a ducted-fan design, enabling safe launch and recovery from ship decks. Poland joins other operators including Greece, the Netherlands, the US Navy, and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force.
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