Poland signs Gladius 2 contract with WB Group

Colonel Artur Kuptel, head of the Polish Armaments Agency (right), signed a contract with WB Group president Piotr Wojciechowski (centre) in the presence of Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak (left) on the Gladius 2 strike-reconnaissance UAS at MSPO 2022 on 6 September. (WB Group)

The Polish Armaments Agency (AA) signed a contract with WB Group on the Gladius 2 strike-reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) on the first day of the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2022 being held in Kielce from 6 to 9 September. The PLN50 million (USD10.6 million) contract followed the first Gladius contract signed by the AA and WB Group in May.

The PLN2 billion May contract covered the delivery of four strike-reconnaissance UAS battery modules with training, service, and logistics packages, including a simulator centre and trainers, with hundreds of Gladius systems to be procured, making it the biggest UAS deal in Polish history. Gladius will use FT-5 Łoś (Moose) tactical reconnaissance UAVs with electro-optical payloads able to operate day and night, integrated into the Polish Armed Forces' Topaz fire-control system. In addition to Gladius UAVs, battery modules will include launchers, command, and maintenance vehicles. The first deliveries of elements of the system are planned in 2022.

A WB Group spokesperson told Janes at MSPO 2022 on 7 September that the first contract covered Gladius systems with a range of up to 100 km and the 6 September contract covers ranges over 100 km. Several strike-reconnaissance prototypes will be developed as loitering munitions, with the intent of developing Polish Armed Forces capabilities to destroy high-value targets, including reconnaissance and command systems and anti-access/area denial systems, as well as counter-battery fire. The development work is scheduled to be completed by 2026.