Poland Launches IRYDA PLUS: Innovating for the New Economy of Air Combat

On September 15, 2025, a Polish consortium officially launched the IRYDA PLUS project, Europe’s first unmanned fighter aircraft designed specifically for counter-UAS missions. The system represents a hard-kill approach to drone defense, capable of targeting drones, swarms, and loitering munitions with speed, autonomy, and artificial intelligence.

A New Approach to the Cost-Exchange Problem

Modern conflicts have highlighted a growing imbalance in the cost of air defense. Small, inexpensive drones have been deployed to strike high-value targets, often neutralized by air defense missiles costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars each. As noted in recent analysis, Ukraine’s ability to field cheap drones against Russian tanks reshaped battlefield dynamics, while Russia has since accelerated production of its own low-cost systems.

IRYDA PLUS was created to directly address this “cost-exchange challenge.” Flying at 250–280 km/h with hours of endurance and equipped with a 360° gun pod, the unmanned aircraft provides a more economical alternative to expensive missile interceptors. “Today, a rocket costing over a million dollars is used to shoot down a drone worth a few thousand dollars. IRYDA PLUS reverses this logic – it provides a fast, effective and much cheaper solution,” consortium representatives said at the launch.

Strategic and Operational Applications

The IRYDA PLUS system is envisioned for a range of uses: border security, defense of critical infrastructure, protection of troops in combat zones, and support for NATO and UN peacekeeping missions. Its design combines manned-aircraft performance with unmanned system adaptability, relying on artificial intelligence to identify and engage threats quickly and autonomously.

Initial details about the project have already been shared with Polish authorities, who expressed preliminary interest. Discussions are underway with potential financial backers to move the system through its planned phases: construction of a demonstrator, testing, and eventual integration into a fully operational platform. The first combat-capable units could be fielded within two to three years.

A Consortium of Complementary Expertise

The IRYDA PLUS initiative is spearheaded by a strategic consortium that blends military, industrial, and research expertise:

• MBF Group S.A. – project leader, listed on NewConnect, providing business and strategic leadership under Col. Janusz Czarnecki.

• Squadron Sp. z o.o. (ASE Group) – engineering and military specialists with practical experience in UAV and anti-drone operations, led in part by Major Grzegorz Trzeciak, former commander of an unmanned reconnaissance squadron.

• Polish Industrial Lobby (PLP) – providing scientific and promotional support, directed by Prof. Paweł Soroka, known for his role in advancing Polish industry internationally.

Poland’s Role in the Evolving Air Defense Landscape

The IRYDA PLUS project underscores how nations are rethinking air defense strategies in response to lessons learned from Ukraine and other conflicts. By prioritizing a cost-effective, fast-deploying, and scalable system, Poland aims to position itself as a pioneer in the new economy of air combat – where effectiveness is measured not only by technical capability but also by affordability and sustainability.

If successful, IRYDA PLUS could represent both a milestone for Polish defense innovation and a product with significant global export potential.

Read more:

• Drones and the Cost-Exchange Challenge in Modern Warfare
• US and Ukraine Move Closer to Landmark Drone Deal
• Airbus and Quantum Systems Partner to Build Open Reconnaissance Ecosystem for European Defense