Poland Demonstrates SAN Short-Range Air Defense as Drone Threat Grows.

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa unveiled key components of its SAN short-range air defense system on February 19, 2026, at the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Zielonka, outlining plans to deploy it along Poland’s eastern border by year’s end. The move strengthens Warsaw’s low-altitude defense posture as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to reshape NATO’s eastern flank security environment.

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, the state-owned Polish Armaments Group, publicly presented core elements of its new SAN short-range air defense system during a demonstration on February 19, 2026, at the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Zielonka, signaling Warsaw’s intent to field the system along Poland’s eastern border before the end of the year. Officials framed the rollout as a direct response to the evolving aerial threat landscape driven by Russia’s war against Ukraine, particularly the growing use of low-flying drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. The SAN system is designed to reinforce short-range, low-altitude protection, complementing Poland’s layered air and missile defense architecture that includes Patriot and Narew programs. By accelerating deployment timelines, Warsaw is underscoring the urgency of bolstering territorial air defense across NATO’s eastern flank.
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SAN short-range air defense moves toward deployment as Poland strengthens protection against evolving aerial threats. (Picture source: Poland MoD)

The event at WITU brought together an extensive display of aerial and land-based unmanned systems covering strike, reconnaissance, and transport roles. Companies from PGZ presented their solutions alongside military and civilian research institutes, including WITU, ITWL, WITPiS, and the Łukasiewicz Research Network PIAP. The demonstration was framed not only as a technical showcase but as a strategic signal. Polish officials stated that the development of drone forces and the construction of the SAN shield are now considered a duty and a priority, emphasizing that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered the way deterrence and defense operations are conducted.

According to officials present in Zielonka, building capabilities to counter unmanned aerial vehicles is a task that involves the Polish Armed Forces, state and private defense companies, and the national scientific community. They underlined that technology in this domain increasingly determines battlefield superiority and the safety of the civilian population. In that context, reference was made to the SAFE program, designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and to supplement Poland’s defensive capabilities in a compressed timeframe.

SAN is conceived as a short-range, battery-level counter-uncrewed aerial system architecture optimized for low-altitude threats. While detailed procurement data were not reiterated during the February 19 presentation, earlier information indicated that 18 SAN batteries are to be fielded, structured around three fire platoons and one support platoon per battery. This modular organization allows dispersion along vulnerable sectors of the eastern frontier while maintaining centralized coordination through the support element.

Technically, SAN integrates specialized counter-small UAS radars operating in the X-band, optimized for detecting targets with very low radar cross-sections such as micro and mini UAVs flying close to the ground. These sensors are designed to detect and track drones at tactically relevant distances despite ground clutter and terrain masking. Dedicated tracking radars then refine target data, shortening the sensor-to-shooter loop and enabling rapid engagement in complex environments.

The effector layer combines 35 millimeter air defense gun systems equipped with programmable airburst ammunition and 70 millimeter guided rockets. The 35 millimeter systems, developed by PIT-RADWAR, fire programmable rounds that detonate at a pre-set point along the projectile’s trajectory, dispersing fragments to increase the probability of kill against small and fast-moving aerial targets. This approach is particularly suited to countering drone swarms at a lower cost per engagement than missile-based interceptors. The 70 millimeter guided rockets extend the engagement range to several kilometers and provide a precision option against individual drones or small groups operating beyond the effective envelope of guns.

Remote weapon stations from Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR family are integrated into the system, offering digitally controlled, unmanned turrets capable of sustained firing while crews remain under armor. All components are mounted on wheeled platforms, largely based on domestically produced Jelcz and Legwan chassis, enhancing mobility and survivability. This mobility is critical for covering dispersed infrastructure and adapting to shifting threat axes along the eastern border.

Within each battery, the support platoon incorporates longer-range three-dimensional radars with 360-degree coverage and Identification Friend or Foe capability. This broader surveillance layer provides early warning against loitering munitions and one-way attack drones before they penetrate inner defensive rings. It also contributes to disciplined fire allocation by reducing the risk of engaging false tracks, an issue that becomes acute under sustained drone activity.

Operationally, SAN is designed to create overlapping short-range defensive zones capable of protecting maneuver units, logistics hubs, airfields, and critical infrastructure. The autonomous fire platoons can operate independently if required, ensuring continuity of defense even under electronic warfare pressure or degraded communications. By combining rapid detection, layered effectors, and networked command and control, the system seeks to mitigate the economic and operational asymmetry posed by low-cost drones deployed in large numbers.

The emphasis placed in Zielonka on both drone development and counter-drone protection reflects a broader transformation of Poland’s defense posture. The experience of the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that unmanned systems shape reconnaissance, targeting, and strike operations at every echelon. In response, Warsaw is investing simultaneously in offensive unmanned capabilities and in defensive architectures such as SAN. The deployment of this short-range shield along NATO’s eastern flank signals a strategic intent to harden national territory and reinforcement corridors against persistent aerial threats, reinforcing deterrence through resilience and technological adaptation.