MBF Group The IRYDA+ project being developed by MBF Group S.A. is entering a new stage of development. After months of conceptual work, technology talks and building an international ecosystem of partners, the IRYDA+ X1 project is reaching readiness for the demonstration and operational phase. This is a very important moment not only for the Company itself, but also for building modern UAV and defense-tech competencies in Central and Eastern Europe. It is becoming increasingly clear that we are no longer just talking about a vision or a technological presentation, but a real system being prepared for testing, demonstration and further commercialization.
In doing so, it is worth clearly distinguishing between two concepts. IRYDA+ remains a broad program for the development of UAV system architectures and modern autonomous solutions, while IRYDA+ X1 is the first demonstration and operation platform to be developed under this project. It is the X1 that is to be used in the planned demonstrations in Turkey and subsequent operational presentations held in Poland. In practice, this means moving from the conceptual level to a real-world test and demonstration environment.
Why is Turkey of great importance to the UAV market today?
In recent years, Turkey has become one of the world’s fastest growing UAV technology centers. With the success of companies such as Baykar, ASELSAN, Roketsan and Turkish Aerospace Industries, the Turkish defense-tech industry has begun to be seen as one of the most important players in the global autonomous systems market. In addition, Turkey remains the country with the second largest NATO army, further reinforcing the importance of the technology ecosystem being developed there. It is in this environment that MBF Group S.A. and Shark Aviation are currently developing their cooperation.
The partnership with Shark Aviation is of strategic importance to the IRYDA+ X1 project. The Turkish company brings to the project expertise in aviation, UAV system architecture and a hands-on approach to the operational environment. Particularly relevant is the Shark Aviation team’s experience in modern swarm systems architectures, autonomy and AI-supported UAV solutions. As a result, the IRYDA+ X1 project has been developed from the beginning in a direction that is in line with the most important global technological trends.
SAHA EXPO 2026 and the development of AI-supported swarm systems
The breakthrough moment for the project turned out to be the SAHA EXPO 2026 trade fair held in Istanbul. The event is today one of the largest and most important aerospace, UAV and defense fairs in Europe and the Eurasia region. This year’s edition brought together more than 1,700 exhibitors and companies from more than 120 countries, becoming the place to showcase the latest technologies related to autonomy, artificial intelligence, drone swarms and modern defense systems. It was during this event that MBF Group S.A.’s technology partner. – Shark Aviation – entered into an agreement to develop munitions solutions and AI-supported loitering swarm architecture for the IRYDA+ X1 platform.
The importance of this event goes far beyond classic marketing or image activities. In practice, it means starting work on an operating environment that includes swarm architectures, autonomous UAV platform collaboration and AI-supported systems solutions. According to the information provided, the first solutions developed under this architecture are expected to begin testing in both Turkey and Poland. This is a clear signal that the project is moving into the real operational validation phase.
HAGAT, effectors and modern UAV system architecture
Solutions being developed by HAGAT Advanced Warhead Solutions were also on display at SAHA EXPO 2026. The company specializes in warhead architectures and effector systems for modern UAV and loitering munition platforms. The presence of such players at the fair shows the direction of development of today’s defense-tech market, in which integrated autonomous environments, swarm systems architectures and cooperative effector systems are playing an increasingly important role. At the same time, MBF Group stresses that it is not a party to a direct contract with the entity.
However, it is worth noting that the current development of UAV technology is increasingly rarely focused solely on single unmanned platforms. Today’s operational environment is based on distributed architectures, autonomous collaborative systems and AI-supported solutions capable of real-time operational response. In practice, this means building entire technology ecosystems rather than individual devices. IRYDA+ X1 is being developed in exactly the same direction.
Demonstrations in Turkey and Poland
One of the most important elements of the current project schedule remains the preparation of an operational demonstration in the Republic of Turkey. According to previously published information, presentation of the IRYDA+ X1 system is planned by the end of June 2026. The demonstration is to include both operational flights and a demonstration of selected demonstration configurations being developed as part of the project. It is possible that selected elements related to AI-supported loitering swarm architecture will also be presented during the demonstrations.
The next stage of the project’s development is expected to be presentations held in Poland during the 2026 vacations. According to the assumptions, the IRYDA+ X1 system is to be presented to representatives of uniformed services, the security sector and institutions related to the protection of critical infrastructure. Potential recipients of the presentation are expected to include. Police, the Polish Army, the Armaments Agency, the Polish Armaments Group and entities responsible for the security of strategic infrastructure. This is a very important step towards building a real implementation environment for the system.
Shark Aviation Dynamics Poland – strategic presence in Poland
The growing importance of cooperation between MBF Group S.A. and Shark Aviation is also reflected in organizational activities. A technology partner from Turkey has announced the establishment of the Shark Aviation Dynamics Poland entity, headquartered at MBF Group S.A.’s Warsaw address. Such a step is of significant strategic importance and shows that cooperation between entities today goes beyond the standard project or consulting relationship. A sustainable structure for operational and technological cooperation between Poland and Turkey is increasingly being built.
For the market and potential business partners, this is also an important signal about the long-term nature of the project. The physical presence of a technology partner in Poland means that joint competencies can be developed, demonstrations can be organized, development work can be carried out and a future operating environment can be built in Europe. Thus, in practice, a viable international ecosystem of next-generation UAVs is being created. Such measures also strengthen the credibility of the project from an investor and business perspective.
IRYDA+ as a scalable defense-tech ecosystem
Today, the modern UAV market is growing much faster than the classic defense industry. Solutions related to autonomy, AI, swarms of unmanned platforms and the integration of multiple operating environments simultaneously are beginning to be crucial. That’s why projects developed toward scalable swarm architecture and AI-supported systems are attracting the most interest in the defense-tech market today. IRYDA+ and IRYDA+ X1 are being developed in exactly this technological area.
From MBF Group S.A.’s point of view, the current stage of the project’s development is not only of technological significance, but also of strategic and investment significance. The transition to the demonstration phase, the development of international cooperation, the construction of operational structures and the project’s presence in the global UAV environment can significantly influence the Company’s further value creation. The potential for future commercialization, export development and building new dual-use competencies is also becoming increasingly clear. In practice, the IRYDA+ project may become one of the most interesting examples of modern defense-tech development in Central and Eastern Europe.
Polish technology in the international UAV environment
Recent weeks have also shown very strong media interest in the IRYDA+ X1 project. Publications on the project’s transition to the operational phase have appeared not only in Poland, but also in foreign media related to the defense, UAV and geopolitical sectors. Information on the project was published, among others. in Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus and in the international business media. This level of organic propagation confirms that the project is beginning to function in the international information circuit of the defense-tech market.
At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that today’s market for autonomous systems knows no regional boundaries. Projects with real operational potential, AI-supported architecture and the ability to scale in a swarm environment are attracting attention regardless of country of origin. In this context, the cooperation between MBF Group S.A. and Shark Aviation may become an example of successfully combining Polish technological know-how with the experience of one of the world’s most dynamic UAV ecosystems. And all indications are that the most important stages of the IRYDA+ X1 project are yet to come.
