MSPO 2025: Poland introduces Haasta drone fitted with WITU anti-drone missiles for aerial interception
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU – Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia) showcased the Rakieta Antydronowa mounted on the Haasta drone, a configuration that highlights Poland’s response to the rising threat of unmanned aerial systems. With drones dominating current conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, the integration of an anti-drone missile onto a UAV demonstrates a new approach to flexible and affordable air defense.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The presentation of the Haasta drone armed with Rakieta Antydronowa missiles at MSPO 2025 demonstrates Poland’s commitment to countering one of today’s most pressing battlefield challenges (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Rakieta Antydronowa, developed by WITU, is a dedicated counter-drone missile designed to engage small and maneuverable aerial targets. It measures 1.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 328 mm, a diameter of 105 mm, and a launch weight of 20 kilograms. Equipped with a 4.2 kg warhead, the missile operates within a range of 0.5 to 15 kilometers and at altitudes up to 1,500 meters. Powered by a dual-chamber solid-fuel rocket motor, it achieves speeds of up to 250 m/s, with an average velocity of 200 m/s, and can withstand maneuvers of up to 15 g, enabling it to track agile drones effectively. Guidance is provided through telemetry, with a directional telemetry system reaching up to 25 km, combined with aerodynamic control surfaces for precise interception.
At MSPO 2025, two of these missiles were displayed under the wings of the Haasta drone, a hybrid-powered UAV with long endurance and modular payload capacity. The Haasta itself is primarily designed for reconnaissance and support missions, but when armed with the Rakieta Antydronowa, it becomes a mobile aerial interceptor. This configuration provides greater flexibility than traditional ground-based counter-drone systems, allowing coverage over moving units and rapid reaction to threats.
What distinguishes the Rakieta Antydronowa from comparable systems is its cost-effectiveness and dedicated design for counter-UAV operations. Unlike high-value surface-to-air missiles, which may be impractical for engaging inexpensive drones, the Polish solution balances affordability with precision. Similar initiatives such as the U.S. Coyote interceptor or Israeli counter-drone missiles demonstrate a shared recognition of the need for specialized interceptors, yet WITU’s approach emphasizes compact design and integration with unmanned platforms, making it particularly suited for sustained operations where drones are employed en masse.
The integration of the Rakieta Antydronowa onto the Haasta reflects a broader shift in drone warfare: unmanned platforms are no longer limited to surveillance or strike missions but are now evolving into active components of layered air defense. For Poland and NATO, this development offers a cost-effective solution to defend against the increasing use of loitering munitions and FPV drones. It also signals Poland’s determination to strengthen its defense industry and contribute to the alliance’s resilience against hybrid threats.
The presentation of the Haasta drone armed with Rakieta Antydronowa missiles at MSPO 2025 demonstrates Poland’s commitment to countering one of today’s most pressing battlefield challenges. By combining a purpose-built missile with an agile UAV platform, WITU provides a scalable and mobile response to drone warfare, enhancing national defense and reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture.
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU – Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia) showcased the Rakieta Antydronowa mounted on the Haasta drone, a configuration that highlights Poland’s response to the rising threat of unmanned aerial systems. With drones dominating current conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, the integration of an anti-drone missile onto a UAV demonstrates a new approach to flexible and affordable air defense.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The presentation of the Haasta drone armed with Rakieta Antydronowa missiles at MSPO 2025 demonstrates Poland’s commitment to countering one of today’s most pressing battlefield challenges (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Rakieta Antydronowa, developed by WITU, is a dedicated counter-drone missile designed to engage small and maneuverable aerial targets. It measures 1.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 328 mm, a diameter of 105 mm, and a launch weight of 20 kilograms. Equipped with a 4.2 kg warhead, the missile operates within a range of 0.5 to 15 kilometers and at altitudes up to 1,500 meters. Powered by a dual-chamber solid-fuel rocket motor, it achieves speeds of up to 250 m/s, with an average velocity of 200 m/s, and can withstand maneuvers of up to 15 g, enabling it to track agile drones effectively. Guidance is provided through telemetry, with a directional telemetry system reaching up to 25 km, combined with aerodynamic control surfaces for precise interception.
At MSPO 2025, two of these missiles were displayed under the wings of the Haasta drone, a hybrid-powered UAV with long endurance and modular payload capacity. The Haasta itself is primarily designed for reconnaissance and support missions, but when armed with the Rakieta Antydronowa, it becomes a mobile aerial interceptor. This configuration provides greater flexibility than traditional ground-based counter-drone systems, allowing coverage over moving units and rapid reaction to threats.
What distinguishes the Rakieta Antydronowa from comparable systems is its cost-effectiveness and dedicated design for counter-UAV operations. Unlike high-value surface-to-air missiles, which may be impractical for engaging inexpensive drones, the Polish solution balances affordability with precision. Similar initiatives such as the U.S. Coyote interceptor or Israeli counter-drone missiles demonstrate a shared recognition of the need for specialized interceptors, yet WITU’s approach emphasizes compact design and integration with unmanned platforms, making it particularly suited for sustained operations where drones are employed en masse.
The integration of the Rakieta Antydronowa onto the Haasta reflects a broader shift in drone warfare: unmanned platforms are no longer limited to surveillance or strike missions but are now evolving into active components of layered air defense. For Poland and NATO, this development offers a cost-effective solution to defend against the increasing use of loitering munitions and FPV drones. It also signals Poland’s determination to strengthen its defense industry and contribute to the alliance’s resilience against hybrid threats.
The presentation of the Haasta drone armed with Rakieta Antydronowa missiles at MSPO 2025 demonstrates Poland’s commitment to countering one of today’s most pressing battlefield challenges. By combining a purpose-built missile with an agile UAV platform, WITU provides a scalable and mobile response to drone warfare, enhancing national defense and reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture.
