Seen flying over the UK during a 2021 demonstration, the SkyGuardian has now been acquired by Poland. (Crown Copyright)
Poland has signed for the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
The Polish Armaments Agencysigned for “several” systems on 12 December, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) said, adding that deliveries will be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
“The agreement is aimed at increasing the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces in the field of acquisition of reconnaissance data. The MQ-9B air systems will enable the acquisition of image reconnaissance data through the use of electro-optical systems and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), as well as in the field of signals reconnaissance,” the MND said, making no reference to arming the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
GA-ASI said on 16 December that the contract covered three UASs. This would suggest nine UAVs, although this was not confirmed by the company. Once in service, the MQ-9Bs will replace the GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper UASs that Poland has leased (also in an unarmed configuration) since February 2023.
Known as SkyGuardian in its baseline overland configuration and as SeaGuardian in its maritime configuration, the MQ-9B is to shortly enter service with the UK as the Protector RG1, and has been ordered by Belgium, Canada, India, Japan, and Taiwan, and US Special Operations Command, with interest shown from Denmark, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Australia cancelled its planned procurement of the system in 2022 for budgetary reasons.
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