India's airstrikes in Pakistan showcase Polish drone power
During the night of May 6th to May 7th, India conducted an airstrike on targets in Pakistan. Alongside the air force, Polish Warmate drones were also deployed in the operation.
India claims that the airstrike successfully neutralized the infrastructure of terrorist groups. Conversely, Pakistan reports that it shot down five Indian Air Force planes. However, available evidence, including photos and footage of wreckage, suggests the loss of at least two aircraft, while Indian sources indicate three. It is possible that these include Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets.
Additionally, fragments of Warmate drones were discovered in Punjab province, suggesting they played a supplementary role in the airstrike. While some drones were destroyed, at least one intact specimen was photographed. This aligns with India’s announcement of receiving a shipment of Warmate drones in 2022.
Warmate — a standout in Polish armaments
Warmate-3 drones are the latest generation of loitering munition systems from Poland. They feature carbon fiber wings, which reduce the system's weight and allow for heavier combat warheads, weighing up to 7 pounds. These specifications are favored by clients of the WB Group, the manufacturer of these drones.
Warmate drones are highly autonomous due to advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, enabling them to engage targets protected by electronic warfare systems. While improvised solutions strive for similar advancements, the lack of standardized software leads to inconsistent results. Additionally, fiber-optic control reduces both range and payload capacity.
Warmate is a lightweight drone weighing 12 pounds with a wingspan of 5 feet. It can fly for up to 30 minutes and is powered by an electric motor. Its composite fuselage and wings result in very low radar, thermal, and acoustic signatures, posing a challenge even for modern Russian anti-aircraft systems like the Pantsir-S1.
Effective weaponry from Poland
The Warmate drone has a maximum range of about 50 miles, though its effective operational range is closer to 19 miles due to radio communication constraints. Its payload is modular and can be outfitted with several types of warheads: a reconnaissance camera, a fragmentation-explosive warhead equivalent in power to an 82 mm mortar shell, a thermobaric warhead for enclosed spaces, or an anti-tank shaped charge warhead.
The Polish drone can deliver its payload with a circular error probable of less than 5 feet, and its flight speed during the attack phase reaches 93 mph. Additionally, these drones have swarm capabilities, allowing for coordinated attacks on a target from multiple directions.
