MSPO 2025: Polish PANCERNIK grenade-launching drone enhances tactical strike capabilities
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, the Air Force Institute of Technology unveiled the UAV PANCERNIK, also known as Armadillo, a reconnaissance-combat system designed for close support roles. As conflicts increasingly highlight the value of unmanned systems for direct engagement, this development marks Poland’s effort to provide its armed forces with a mini-class drone capable not only of observation but also of delivering targeted effects on the battlefield. Its integration of a dual-grenade pod signals a growing trend toward multi-role UAVs bridging intelligence, surveillance, and precision strike functions in a single platform.
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The unveiling of UAV PANCERNIK at MSPO 2025 highlights how Poland is leveraging domestic innovation to address the pressing realities of modern warfare (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The UAV PANCERNIK is a lightweight rotary-wing system with a takeoff weight of 11 kilograms without grenades, a maximum range of 4.5 kilometers at 50 meters altitude, and endurance of up to 50 minutes. Designed for low-altitude operations between 5 and 120 meters, it can operate discreetly while delivering reconnaissance data through its infrared head equipped with a KTX camera. The payload includes various munitions such as cumulative fragmentation grenades against armored vehicles, smoke grenades for concealment, and flash-bang variants intended to disorient adversaries. This modular approach provides flexibility for different mission profiles, whether suppressing enemy positions, disrupting mobility, or supporting urban operations.
The development of such systems reflects a broader evolution in drone warfare. Unlike loitering munitions, which are often one-use platforms, PANCERNIK offers reusability while carrying lethal and non-lethal payloads. Comparable designs have emerged in Ukraine, where modified commercial quadcopters deliver explosives with tactical effectiveness, but PANCERNIK distinguishes itself by being a purpose-built military system engineered for reliability, endurance, and integration with Polish operational doctrines. Its design aligns with NATO efforts to expand tactical drone capabilities while reducing dependence on imported systems.
Strategically, PANCERNIK represents an answer to contemporary battlefield needs shaped by recent conflicts where small drones have changed the tempo of combat. For Poland, situated on NATO’s eastern flank, this capability underscores a commitment to rapid adaptation and resilience against hybrid threats. The system’s dual-use potential for both reconnaissance and precise strikes enhances tactical autonomy and complements larger UAV assets in layered operations. Beyond national defense, the program also demonstrates Poland’s ambitions to contribute to allied capabilities, potentially offering export opportunities for partners facing similar operational requirements.
The unveiling of UAV PANCERNIK at MSPO 2025 highlights how Poland is leveraging domestic innovation to address the pressing realities of modern warfare. By merging surveillance and combat roles into a compact, versatile platform, it equips forces with a tool that reflects both current battlefield demands and future operational trends. The system’s presence in Kielce illustrates a decisive step in Poland’s ongoing investment in unmanned technologies aimed at reinforcing its role as a security provider within NATO and beyond.
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, the Air Force Institute of Technology unveiled the UAV PANCERNIK, also known as Armadillo, a reconnaissance-combat system designed for close support roles. As conflicts increasingly highlight the value of unmanned systems for direct engagement, this development marks Poland’s effort to provide its armed forces with a mini-class drone capable not only of observation but also of delivering targeted effects on the battlefield. Its integration of a dual-grenade pod signals a growing trend toward multi-role UAVs bridging intelligence, surveillance, and precision strike functions in a single platform.
The unveiling of UAV PANCERNIK at MSPO 2025 highlights how Poland is leveraging domestic innovation to address the pressing realities of modern warfare (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The UAV PANCERNIK is a lightweight rotary-wing system with a takeoff weight of 11 kilograms without grenades, a maximum range of 4.5 kilometers at 50 meters altitude, and endurance of up to 50 minutes. Designed for low-altitude operations between 5 and 120 meters, it can operate discreetly while delivering reconnaissance data through its infrared head equipped with a KTX camera. The payload includes various munitions such as cumulative fragmentation grenades against armored vehicles, smoke grenades for concealment, and flash-bang variants intended to disorient adversaries. This modular approach provides flexibility for different mission profiles, whether suppressing enemy positions, disrupting mobility, or supporting urban operations.
The development of such systems reflects a broader evolution in drone warfare. Unlike loitering munitions, which are often one-use platforms, PANCERNIK offers reusability while carrying lethal and non-lethal payloads. Comparable designs have emerged in Ukraine, where modified commercial quadcopters deliver explosives with tactical effectiveness, but PANCERNIK distinguishes itself by being a purpose-built military system engineered for reliability, endurance, and integration with Polish operational doctrines. Its design aligns with NATO efforts to expand tactical drone capabilities while reducing dependence on imported systems.
Strategically, PANCERNIK represents an answer to contemporary battlefield needs shaped by recent conflicts where small drones have changed the tempo of combat. For Poland, situated on NATO’s eastern flank, this capability underscores a commitment to rapid adaptation and resilience against hybrid threats. The system’s dual-use potential for both reconnaissance and precise strikes enhances tactical autonomy and complements larger UAV assets in layered operations. Beyond national defense, the program also demonstrates Poland’s ambitions to contribute to allied capabilities, potentially offering export opportunities for partners facing similar operational requirements.
The unveiling of UAV PANCERNIK at MSPO 2025 highlights how Poland is leveraging domestic innovation to address the pressing realities of modern warfare. By merging surveillance and combat roles into a compact, versatile platform, it equips forces with a tool that reflects both current battlefield demands and future operational trends. The system’s presence in Kielce illustrates a decisive step in Poland’s ongoing investment in unmanned technologies aimed at reinforcing its role as a security provider within NATO and beyond.
