NextFin news, Poland and Ukraine formalized a partnership on Thursday, September 18, 2025, by signing a memorandum in Kyiv to establish a Joint Working Group focused on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone defense cooperation. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The new working group aims to coordinate joint training programs, exchange operational knowledge and experience in drone warfare, develop and test drone deployment and counter-drone methods, and integrate innovative technologies. A key objective is to strengthen interoperability between the armed forces of both countries and ensure compatibility with NATO standards.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Shmyhal, the partnership is a strategic response to Russian aggression, which threatens Ukraine and other European nations. The ministers also signed a joint declaration to deepen security and defense cooperation in critical areas, including the EU's SAFE and PURL programs.
Poland plans to establish a drone training range with support from Norway, where Ukrainian experts will assist in training Polish personnel to coordinate complex drone defense systems involving electronic warfare, radar, and acoustic sensors. Shmyhal emphasized the importance of deciding when to deploy various countermeasures, from shooting down inexpensive drone decoys to intercepting high-cost threats like Patriot missiles.
The cooperation also includes providing Polish representatives access to Ukrainian educational programs to monitor Russian military actions. Poland has already hosted training for 23,000 Ukrainian servicemen on its territory, underscoring the depth of military collaboration.
The initiative follows recent security concerns after Russian drones breached Polish airspace, prompting NATO to deploy fighter jets for interception. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in Eastern Europe's air defense and accelerated efforts to bolster drone defense capabilities.
In addition to the bilateral cooperation, the defense ministers sent a letter to NATO defense ministers urging allies to send experts to the Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC) to participate actively in drone defense projects.
This partnership reflects a broader trend of increasing reliance on drone technology in modern warfare, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Both countries are committed to advancing their drone warfare expertise to enhance national and regional security.
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