PZL Defence Takes Off: A Polish‑Ukrainian Drone Dream in the Making
On 21 July 2025, the world welcomed PZL Defence, a brand-new company aiming to swoop into the growing field of advanced defence technologies. The company is still getting its legal feathers in order, but a windfall of partnerships has already started the engines.
Unimot and PZL Sędziszów: The Power Couple of Unmanned Tech
Yesterday’s headline? Unimot signed a letter of intent with PZL Sędziszów and PZL Defence. The goal? Build a strategic alliance that fuses cutting‑edge Polish engineering with proven Ukrainian expertise—hand‑on, real‑combat know‑how that can’t be taught in a classroom.
The Share Grid
- Unimot – 40 % of the shares for PLN 400,000 (together with the registration of PZL Defence).
- PZL Sędziszów – 10 % stake.
- Ukrainian partner – 50 % stake.
Once the paperwork’s signed and the budgetary green lights are all checked, the company will start small, producing civilian drones for the market. Then, after a proper licence, the plan is to expand into military drones and anti‑drone systems, safeguarding everything from power grids to city infrastructure.
Why Drones Matter Now
Adam Sikorski, president of Unimot’s board, says, “We see unmanned tech as a crucial part of regional security. That’s why we’re tackling a project that blends Polish engineering with Ukrainian knack we’ve proven in actual combat.” The figure is clear: since 2022, Russia has dropped more than 28,000 Shahed drones on Ukraine, and Ukrainian intelligence warns the number could hit 500+ every night.
What PZL Sędziszów Brings to the Table
- Capsule of 85 + years of aviation heritage.
- Current licences for filters in military vehicles like the Rosomak and props for Leonardo helicopters.
- Access to a new production hall engineered for defence needs, plus labs buzzing with cutting‑edge tech.
Research: The Heartbeat of the New Company
The PZL Defence team is gathering brains from Poland and Ukraine—war veterans, aerospace nerds, and industrial wizards. Their mission? Build an R&D hub aimed at designing:
- Reconnaissance and interception drones.
- Loitering munitions that are like a quiet, deadly beacon.
- Systems to neutralise the ever‑looming threat of rogue UAVs.
Finances and the Bigger Picture
Poland’s 2025 defence budget is set to hit a record PLN 186.6 billion (4.7 % of GDP). Forecasts predict a 2025–2035 surge to PLN 1.9 trillion. EU programmes such as Readiness 2030 and SAFE are earmarking up to €800 billion for the European defence industry, offering loans, EIB instruments, and flexible budgets.
In short, PZL Defence is positioned at the crossroads of soaring defence spending, innovative technology, and real‑world military needs. With partnerships tying Polish precision to Ukrainian battlefield grit, it’s set to tackle the drone menace head‑on—while keeping humor and heart in every flight plan.
