Poland to purchase MQ-9 Reaper Drones from US

The government of Poland is seeking an undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US in preparation for a possible escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Fears that Warsaw and other neighboring nations may be drawn into the week-long war have surfaced as Russian attacks continue to expand and target Ukrainian cities other than Kyiv.

Although the precise value of the deal has yet to be disclosed, it was revealed that the transfer process will be accelerated.

“I would like to inform you that acquisition of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) is pursued both within the framework of the ZEFIR program as well as within the framework of urgent acquisition of the MQ-9 Reaper UAVs in relation to the situation on the eastern border of the Republic of Poland,” Lt. Col. Krzysztof Płatek told Defence 24.

Platek said that the Polish government is currently “in talks” with its American partners for the urgent production and delivery of the UAVs.

Once delivered, Poland would become the first country on NATO’s eastern flank to acquire the MALE drone.