MBF Group On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, a meeting of the Coordinating Council for drone manufacturers was held in Warsaw, organized at the initiative of Prof. Paweł Soroka, Ph.D.—coordinator of the Polish Industrial Lobby and the COP 2 Project. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Warsaw Association of Cultural Creators, was devoted to presenting the current status of the COP 2 Project, defining the role of drone-related issues within this initiative, and establishing the Council’s course of action for the coming months. The topics discussed at the meeting are directly related to the activities of MBF Group S.A., which develops projects in the field of unmanned systems and dual-use technologies.
The discussion focused on the need for better coordination among domestic companies, academic circles, research institutes, and the defense sector, as well as on creating the conditions for testing, implementing, and safely utilizing Polish drone solutions. In connection with the Council’s work, a strategic position paper was prepared by the Polish Industrial Lobby and the authors of the COP 2 Project. The document identifies the most significant regulatory, operational, and technological challenges and presents recommendations for building a national ecosystem of unmanned systems. Below, we are publishing the full text without any changes.
STRATEGIC POSITION
The Polish Industrial Lobby and the creators of the COP 2 Project
on the development of the production and use of drone systems in the Republic of Poland
1. Introduction
Unmanned systems (UAVs—Unmanned Aerial Vehicles—and, more broadly, UxV—unmanned aerial, land, and maritime systems) are becoming one of the key elements of modern national security as well as the modern technology-driven economy. The experiences of recent armed conflicts and the rapid development of digital technologies clearly indicate that drones are now one of the most important tools for conducting reconnaissance, combat operations, logistical operations, and special operations. At the same time, the development of drone technology extends far beyond military applications. These systems are playing an increasingly important role in the civilian sector, including in:
- monitoring of critical infrastructure,
- emergency response and crisis management,
- precision farming,
- transportation and logistics,
- border protection.
Poland has significant potential for the development of drone technology. There is a growing number of technology companies, research and development teams, academic institutions, and startups on the domestic market that are involved in the design and production of unmanned systems. However, without the development of a coherent national strategy and the appropriate organizational and regulatory infrastructure, there is a risk that this potential will remain fragmented and will not be fully harnessed for the purposes of national security and economic development.
2. Regulatory Challenges and Airspace
One of the most significant barriers to the development of drone technology in Poland is the current airspace regulation system. As a member state of the European Union and NATO, Poland is subject to a number of aviation safety regulations that, in practice, significantly limit the operational use of drones in civilian airspace. Specifically, they concern:
- a ban on flights over gatherings of people,
- restrictions on flights over urban areas,
- the need to maintain separation from air traffic,
- restrictions arising from critical infrastructure security.
In practice, this means that a significant portion of the drone systems manufactured in Poland do not currently meet the requirements for full testing and operational use. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an integrated drone traffic management system that includes:
- digital unmanned traffic management (UTM) system,
- a drone identification and monitoring system,
- designation of operational and test zones for unmanned systems,
- integration with air traffic control systems.
These solutions should be compatible with the airspace management systems in place within NATO and the European Union.
3. Operational Safety and Emergency Technologies
As the number of drones in the airspace increases, so does the risk of incidents and accidents. Currently, a significant portion of technology projects focuses on increasing:
- flight range,
- load capacity,
- operational autonomy.
In contrast, much less attention is paid to issues related to operational safety and emergency procedures. In particular, it is necessary to develop technologies such as:
- automatic emergency landing systems,
- parachute systems for drones,
- redundancy of control and communication systems,
- autonomous algorithms for selecting a safe landing site.
Without implementing such measures, it will be difficult to gain public and regulatory acceptance for the wider use of drones over populated areas.
4. Integration of drone systems with artificial intelligence systems
Modern drone systems no longer function as individual operational platforms. Their effectiveness stems from their integration with the following systems:
- artificial intelligence,
- data analysis,
- satellite reconnaissance,
- command and control systems.
On the modern battlefield, integrated operational systems are increasingly being used, including:
- swarms of reconnaissance drones,
- attack drones,
- land-based operations,
- autonomous logistics systems.
Coordinating these systems requires advanced IT platforms capable of analyzing vast amounts of operational data in real time. Therefore, it is necessary to create an integrated command and control system for drone operations that will enable:
- coordination of the operations of multiple unmanned systems,
- real-time data analysis,
- Supporting operational decisions through artificial intelligence systems.
5. Cybersecurity and Resilience of Drone Systems
Unmanned systems are particularly vulnerable to electronic warfare and cyberattacks. The most commonly used prevention methods include:
- GPS signal jamming,
- taking control of drones,
- entering false data into control systems,
- interference with radio communications.
Consequently, the development of drone technology must be closely linked to the development of competencies in the following areas:
- cryptography,
- cybersecurity,
- electronic combat,
- resilience of communication systems.
It is also essential to establish specialized software development teams that will continuously develop and update the software for drone systems.
6. Integration of the technological environment
Poland has significant potential in the field of drone technology, but the sector is currently highly fragmented. The following organizations are involved in the development of unmanned systems:
- private companies,
- tech startups,
- academic institutions,
- research institutes,
- engineering communities,
- the defense sector.
The lack of systemic integration among these communities can lead to duplication of projects, a dispersion of resources, and a reduction in economies of scale.
Therefore, it is necessary to create a collaborative platform that brings together the technology, industry, and military sectors.
7. Establishment of the Polish Republic Drone Operations Center as part of the major strategic COP 2 Project.
One of the key elements of the national strategy for the development of drone technology should be the establishment of the Drone Operations Center of the Republic of Poland.
The main responsibilities of such an institution could include:
- coordination of research and development programs,
- integration of technological environments,
- development of operating and training systems,
- testing new technologies,
- developing operational standards for drone systems.
The center could serve as a national center of excellence in the field of unmanned technologies.
8. Science and Technology Center for Drone Technology
In order to accelerate the development of drone technology in Poland, it makes sense to establish a specialized science and technology center that integrates research, production, and implementation activities. This model is in place in many technologically advanced countries, where the following operate within a single complex:
- research institutes,
- technology laboratories,
- prototype lines,
- corporate design centers.
A similar facility could be established in Poland as part of a special economic zone or technology park, in cooperation with:
- public administration,
- technical universities,
- research institutes,
- the private sector.
9. Conclusions and Recommendations
To fully harness the potential of drone technology in Poland, it is recommended that:
- Development of a national strategy for the development of unmanned systems.
- Development of an integrated drone traffic management system.
- Development of operational safety systems and emergency procedures.
- Integration of drone systems with artificial intelligence platforms.
- Strengthening capabilities in cybersecurity and electronic warfare.
- Integration of the scientific, technological, and industrial communities.
- Establishment of the Polish Drone Operations Center.
- Establishment of a science and technology center for the development of unmanned technologies.
Prepared by a team of experts led by Prof. Ph. Eng.Włodzimierz Adamski.
Prof. Ph. Eng. Włodzimierz Adamski is an expert in computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and one of the pioneers in the implementation of these technologies in the Polish aerospace industry. For 42 years, he was associated with PZL Mielec, where he served, among other roles, as duties of the Chief Information Officer, Director of Development and Technical Director, overseeing work on the Dromader, Iskierka, Iryda, An-28, M-28 Skytruck, ATR-42, ATR-72, Boeing 757, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. His body of work includes more than 90 scientific papers and over 150 major projects implemented in industry, as well as the monograph *Selected Issues in CAD/CAM Design and Manufacturing in the Machinery Industry*. He taught, among other things, at the Rzeszów University of Technology and the Warsaw University of Technology, and was involved in the activities of SIMP, NOT, and the ProCAx association, promoting computer-aided engineering systems. For his scientific, technical, and organizational achievements, he has been honored with, among other things, the title of “Golden Engineer 2022,” the Gold and Silver Crosses of Merit, the NOT Diamond Badge of Honor, and the title of “Mielec Resident of the Year 2023.”
