For better surveillance: Poland wants to buy US MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to replace leased MQ-9A Reaper drones

Poland wants to buy US drones as part of its efforts to modernise its air force. The European country is eyeing General Atomics' SkyGuardian.

Here's What We Know

The plan to acquire new drones was announced back in the autumn of last year. The Polish Ministry of Defence then stated its desire to replace the MQ-9A Reaper drones, which were leased from the US.

Poland wants to buy MQ-9B SkyGuardian medium-altitude long-range drones. They will perform reconnaissance missions on the eastern border. Now these tasks are put on the wings of the MQ-9A.

The agreement will be signed in the coming weeks. The details of the upcoming contract are not specified, but it is known that Poland will purchase a small number of American drones. This is due to the fact that the country's air force relies on the Bayraktar TB2.

Poland purchased 24 Turkish drones in May 2021. Since then, Baykar has handed over three batches. The fourth batch of drones will be the last. It is expected that Baykar will be able to complete the deliveries of the Bayraktar TB2 in the near future.

General Atomics too declined to comment on the details of the agreement. The company said that information about the contract should only come from the Polish side. The manufacturer only noted that the leased MQ-9As have spent more than 1,200 hours in the air, and the purchase of the MQ-9Bs will enhance security across Europe.

Source: Breaking Defence