August 19, 2023

WB Group ramps up the production of reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions

By Defence Industry Europe

Poland's defence company, WB Group, is significantly increasing the production of its combat-proven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as loitering munition systems. An important customer for WB Group is the Polish Armed Forces. However, most of the production of UAVs and loitering munitions is intended for export clients, including Ukraine. — FlyEye drone. Photo: Polish Armed Forces.

Polish defence company, WB Group, is significantly increasing the production of its combat-proven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as loitering munition systems. An important customer for WB Group is the Polish Armed Forces. However, most of the production of UAVs and loitering munitions is intended for export clients, including Ukraine.

According to WB Group’s CEO, Piotr Wojciechowski, as quoted by Polish defence media outlets, the company will deliver 80 systems of FlyEye reconnaissance drones to customers in 2023. Each system consists of four unmanned aerial vehicles.

In 2024, WB Group plans to deliver 200 FlyEye systems to customers, Wojciechowski said.

According to WB Group’s CEO, in 2023, the company will deliver almost 2,000 Warmate loitering munitions to customers. Wojciechowski expects that the company will deliver 4,000 Warmate systems in the next year.

The FlyEye and Warmate systems are operated by the Polish Armed Forces and armed forces of third countries, including Ukraine. According to WB Group’s CEO, about 90-95% of the ongoing FlyEye and Warmate production is intended for export, with a significant portion going to Ukraine.

WB Group’s Warmate loitering munition systems have recently received the NATO Stock Number (NSN). This is an identification code for military products delivered to the armed forces of NATO members. Obtaining an NSN number can result in more export contracts for the Warmate system.

Both FlyEye and Warmate are combat-proven systems. They are operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine during defence operations against the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.