Sweden boosts support for Ukraine with Polish drone purchase

Minister Pål Jonson visited the Polish drone manufacturer, WB Group, and expressed appreciation for their innovative solutions. He emphasized that cooperation between Poland and Sweden in the field of armaments will continue to develop. "We need to have more balanced relations in terms of arms purchases between Poland and Sweden," said Jonson in an interview with "Rzeczpospolita."

So far, the Swedish government has allocated over $7.7 million to the drone coalition and demining efforts. Meanwhile, the total value of the 18th military aid package for Ukraine amounts to $1.22 billion. This is the largest aid package from Sweden since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Although it has not been disclosed which exact drone models will be purchased, it is known that the Ukrainian army already has experience using Polish drones such as the Warmate and FlyEye. WB Group recently unveiled a new drone model, the Warmate 50, which can be used for long-distance missions.

The Warmate 50 is the latest unmanned strike system developed by the Polish company WB Group, showcased at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2024 in Kielce. The Warmate 50 is equipped with a 110-pound warhead, which is a significant enhancement compared to previous versions of this system.

Unlike its predecessors, the new model does not offer the capability to swap out the warhead, a deliberate decision aimed at maximizing combat effectiveness at the expense of observational functionality flexibility. This means the Warmate 50 is dedicated solely to strike missions, eliminating the need for compromises related to multi-role capabilities.

Powered by a combustion engine, the Warmate 50 achieves an operational range of up to 620 miles. Such a distance allows it to target areas deep within potential adversary territory, making it a strategic tool in the armed forces' arsenal. For instance, from Polish territory, the drone could reach the metropolitan area of Moscow.