It's not art to buy equipment and put it on the shelf. The trick is to have the possible to usage it and the staff prepared to usage it – says Brig. Gen. Mirosław Bodnar. We are talking with the military inspector of unmanned weapon systems about forming a fresh component in the armed forces, the tasks which are before him and the acquisition of fresh capabilities by the Polish Army.
General, on 1 January you took the position of inspector of unarmed weapons systems and you are liable for forming a fresh component in the armed forces. That's a challenge for you.
Brig-Gen Mirosław Bodnar: The safety situation in the planet is changing rapidly, and hence the armed forces are besides changing. Therefore, we request to be flexible, diversify the equipment that we use, have different options of approach to the tactical situation and at the same time remember the continuous improvement of technology. It shows us where to go. Conventional troops must be saturated with these modern technologies to be more effective, hence the decision to focus all unmanned capabilities in one's hands and make an inspectorate.
So what are the tasks of the fresh inspectorate?
The Inspectorate of Unmanned Weapons Systems Army operates in the General Command, so he will carry out the tasks for which this structure is responsible, i.e. the organisation of the operation of the units, training and implementation of fresh equipment, in short preparation of troops for action as intended.
Today, unmanned aircraft are primarily associated with aircraft, but this does not mean that they operate and are managed only by the air force. On the contrary, they function in and for all domains, and our task will be to coordinate these activities. The inspectorate will besides prepare training programs, organize exercises, but above all he will be liable for introducing fresh weapons to build the most efficient unmanned strategy in the Polish Army.
The usage of drones during combat activities was practiced by soldiers of the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade. photograph by Rafał Kozak/1 BPanc
What do you mean, unmanned? Is this about combining all your abilities? Getting fresh ones?
The unmanned strategy is simply a set of interrelated elements which, with due association, in this case unmanned elements geared to the command, support and safety system, can support the conventional capabilities of the armed forces and supplement areas not yet feasible due to human limitations. It is about integrating all capabilities into 1 coherent strategy and achieving synergies.
Every system, even unmanned, should be operated. What is the plan to get and train future operators? Can this field be developed by video game lovers?
Indeed, utilizing fresh technologies is easier for those who had contact with them in their youth, so who knows (Laughter). But the choice of the right staff will most likely be a challenge, due to the fact that not only will it be crucial to be willing, but besides predisposed, manual ability, or the way we perceive reality. due to the fact that it's different to control an unmanned man in virtual reality, but it's different in a real environment. The operator must even be integrated with specified a device, and above all be aware that in the field of combat it can be support but besides a threat. That is why training operators is so demanding today.
Training soldiers of the 13th Tray Squadron utilizing autonomous submarines.
And what will these trainings look like in the future?
New training centres will surely be established, due to the fact that as many people as possible must be able to operate unmanned. due to the fact that what we should focus on present is spreading their usage in the military. In colloquially speaking, as today, any soldier knows how to wear a gas mask, so in the future he should besides know how to operate an unmanned aircraft.
That sounds impossible.
But why? We're talking about distributing unmanned systems, but that doesn't mean all soldier should be equipped with its components. That's not our target. Technology is changing very quickly, so investing in something that is about to be obsolete has no economical justification. We must have the number of kits that will let us to sustain our abilities, make technology at the same time and prepare fresh solutions. It's not an art to buy equipment and put it on the shelf. The trick is to have staff and human possible prepared to operate this equipment in large numbers.
And will creating a fresh component affect the creation of fresh structures, units?
Here we would gotta step in on the improvement programme of the armed forces, which I would not like to do, but it should not be excluded that this will happen. Today, all unmanned elements that already function in the Polish Army are subject to me in substance.
Are we building on these fresh capabilities utilizing the experience of another countries?
Of course. The component of unmanned troops operates in South Korea, among others, is equipped with systems akin to those purchased by Poland. We are besides looking at Israel's experiences, although these contacts through the situation in the mediate East have been somewhat limited. We're watching what happens in the planet so we don't learn from our mistakes.
Soldiers of the 6th Airborne Brigade were trained to operate mini Orbiter 2B drones.
It would seem natural that in this context you will besides mention the situation in Ukraine.
Of course, these experiences are very crucial to us, but are we certain we have full cognition of how unmanned systems are utilized on the battlefield? On YouTube or X, we can at least see how an operator or a single unmanned operator functions, but not the full system. And this is crucial. Besides, the point is not to replicate concrete solutions, but to make ones that will surprise the opponent. And that's what we request to focus on.
When will specified first effects be seen?
This year. The first phase is the formation of the inspectorate itself, which is happening now. shortly I will present a detailed concept of our action, in which I will measure our current capabilities, needs and directions of development, i.e. on a good point I will present a balance sheet that will aid us increase the possible of utilizing unmanned workers utilizing our current capabilities. Intensification of training will surely besides be necessary. It is besides a very urgent substance to introduce the ability to combat unmanned systems, huntsman UAS, which will let the troops to be secured during operational operations. These are my priorities now. And erstwhile again, it's about building a system, not focusing on a single part of equipment, due to the fact that that's the capacity we already have.
What do you think will be the hardest to implement this concept?
Breaking the mindset, so as not to see war as just a conventional conflict, but to take into account the opportunities offered by modern technology, specified as the usage of unmanned systems, which can support the actions of those manned.
Brig-Gen Mirosław Bodnar He took his first work position in the 78th Air Defence Regiment, and served in the 26th Air Defence Rocket Brigade, the Air Forces and Air Defence Command, and the Polish Military Representation at the NATO and EU Military Committees in Brussels. He besides served in the Air Force Command, the 3rd Warsaw Air Defence Rocket Brigade, the Air Defence Board and the Anti-missile Command of the General Armed Forces Types and the Operations Board of Operations Command of the Armed Forces Types. In 2024, he became a councilor-coordinator of the commander-in-chief, and on 1 January 2025 was appointed to the position of inspector of unarmed military systems.
He participated in military missions to Kosovo and Iraq. For his merits he was repeatedly decorated, including the Bronze Cross of Merit, the Military Cross of Merit with Swords or the Aviation Cross of Merit.
Read more about the formation of the military inspectorate of unmanned weapons systems in the March issue of the monthly magazine “Polska Armodna”.
