The east Shield Programme becomes 1 of the most crucial mechanisms for rapidly acquiring innovative technologies for the Armed Forces of Poland. The MON Innovation Department reported that a full of 660 applications have been received since the start of the programme, of which 628 projects have been classified as key technological areas, including military engineering and infrastructure (234 projects), sensors and effectors (167), unmanned weapons systems (140) and communications and cybersecurity (119).
The scale of the applications confirms a very advanced interest in the manufacture to cooperate with the military. Solutions are reported by both large companies and start-ups, including home and abroad entities. The notifications include technologies that respond straight to current operational needs, as well as solutions developed within their own supply chains, which strengthens the resilience of the country and the possible of the national technology sector.
As a consequence of a multi-stage analysis conducted by six specialised Working Groups, 92 projects were selected for further stages. These include, inter alia, technologies in the field of military demolition and protection and unmanned impact systems (45 projects), military mobility and engineering (16), passive radars and acoustic designation (13), radio-electronic combat (7), command, communications and cybersecurity (9) and logistics infrastructure. The Department of Innovation MON coordinates and monitors the work of the Working Groups, ensuring an efficient process of selecting and investigating technology.
The next phase will be operational tests, which will be carried out, among others, in the framework of the “Bursztine Defender-26” exercise federation, based on the experience of the “Iron Gate-25” exercise and the uniform methodology set out in Decision No 123/MON. The tests will not only measure the usefulness of technologies in conditions akin to actual military activities, but besides supply companies with detailed feedback on the anticipation of further improvement of their solutions.
The implementation of the programme is besides supported by fresh legislation. The Act of 25 July 2025 on strategical defence investments allows, after the tests and approval of the Minister of National Defence, the acquisition of unmanned weapons systems and measures to combat them without the usage of standard procurement procedures. These solutions importantly reduce the time from submitting innovation to its implementation in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.
The programme is already delivering concrete results. Last December, as a consequence of the investigating and qualification process, the Polish Armed Forces acquired 50 sets of FPV drones (250 copies) for training purposes. In parallel, urgent operational procedures for the acquisition of further technologies, including passive radars, acoustic systems and solutions to combat unmanned aircraft, are being conducted.
The MON Innovation Department besides actively identifies key technological gaps. In 2025, communications were sent to manufacture concerning the search for solutions in peculiar in the area of land, air and sea drones, unmanned systems to support engineering work and CBRN contamination detection drones. In 2026, the programme focuses primarily on the ready-made solutions with the highest level of technological readiness, which can be rapidly implemented into the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.
The programme besides remains linked to allied initiatives, including NATO DIANA accelerator. Those developing interoperable technologies within the FORT Kraków Centre are encouraged to participate in tests in the Shield East program, which strengthens global cooperation and accelerates the implementation of solutions of importance for the safety of the full Alliance.
The implementation process of innovation under the programme covers the full way – from notification of the solution, through expert analysis, qualification for investigating and operational tests, to recommendations to the MON management and implementation decision. The program not only enables fast acquisition of fresh technologies, but besides allows companies to make solutions according to the real needs of the military.
The ambition of the MON Innovation Department for 2026 is to conduct operational tests of selected technologies and to present recommendations for their implementation to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The Shield East Programme is an crucial complement to the conventional model of method modernisation, allowing faster implementation of innovation and strengthening the state's defence capacity in the face of modern threats.
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As part of the implementation of the programme, MON is looking for modern method solutions that can be tested and applied in the implementation of the Tarcza East programme. In particular, we encourage to propose manufacturers and suppliers from the countries of the European economical Area and NATO, who have modern technologies that can contribute to strengthening Poland's defence capabilities. Details: https://tiny.pl/r5k_j3h55
Text: Colonel Marek Pietrzak
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