Poland is actively pursuing an ambitious project to create the most advanced and large-scale counter-drone system on the continent. The system, called SAN, has already earned the status of the largest and most technologically advanced anti-drone shield in Europe.
On January 30, 2026, the Polish government signed contracts worth approximately 15 billion zlotys with the consortium Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The project includes the delivery of 18 anti-aircraft batteries, 52 fire platoons, 18 command platoons, and approximately 700 units of special equipment.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the signing of the agreement a “historic moment” and an “absolute breakthrough” in the defense of NATO’s eastern flank, Poland, and all of Europe.
The SAN system combines several layers of defense:
powerful detection radars,
electronic warfare systems,
30- and 35-mm automatic cannons,
multi-barrel anti-aircraft mounts,
kinetic and non-kinetic weapons,
attack drone interceptors.
Initial operational readiness of individual batteries is expected as early as 2026, with full deployment planned for 2027–2028. The system will be integrated into Poland’s multi-layered air defense system and will serve as the lower echelon of defense against small, medium, and large UAVs, including kamikaze drones.
The project is partially funded by the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, under which Poland has access to $51.6 billion in EU defense loans until 2030. Anti-drone technologies are one of the program’s priorities.
The development of SAN is a response to the increasing number of Russian and Belarusian UAV intrusions into Polish airspace in 2025, as well as the overall growing threat of drones in hybrid warfare.