Poland has acquired three MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft systems from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. The sale, which also includes two ground control stations and three years of support services, follows Warsaw’s 2022 lease of MQ-9A Reapers, which the aircraft manufacturer said paved the way for the eventual purchase of the next-generation MQ-9Bs.
The Polish Ministry of National Defence said the SkyGuardian drones will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces.
GA-ASI President David Alexander described the SkyGuardian as a critical security tool and said the company is proud to continue building on its strong partnership with Poland. “The purchase of MQ-9B SkyGuardian will deliver persistent multi-domain situational awareness, which is vital to Poland,” he added.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian offers long endurance, extended range and all-weather performance. It can operate for over 40 hours and integrate safely into civil airspace. It is equipped with Lynx Multi-mode Radar, an advanced electro-optic infrared sensor, and automatic takeoff and landing features. With an open architecture design, the SkyGuardian can also be configured to conduct several ISR operations, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement, and electronic warfare.
Earlier this year, GA-ASI secured a contract with the U.S. Air Force to deliver four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, two ground control stations, spare parts and related equipment to Taiwan. The MQ-9B is also deployed in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Japan and India.