WARSAW (Realist English). US defence company Shield AI has offered Poland a role in the programme to create the X-BAT autonomous vertical‑takeoff fighter.
As Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced, the country could become a production site for the “world’s first autonomous combat aircraft.”
“Their intention is to cooperate with Poland and produce in Poland, for the X‑BAT programme, the world’s first autonomous combat aircraft,” Tusk said at a press conference on June 16. The Polish prime minister called the project a “high‑tech opportunity for air superiority” in the event of armed conflict.
X-BAT technology: AI without a runway
X-BAT was unveiled by Shield AI in October 2025 as an artificial‑intelligence‑powered unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The drone is designed for expeditionary and maritime operations in environments with active enemy opposition.
At the core of X-BAT is Hivemind software, developed by Shield AI to control platforms in conditions of communication loss, signal jamming and limited visibility. Hivemind allows X-BAT to autonomously penetrate combat zones, interact with manned aircraft and perform missions without constant communication.
The drone can act as an “unmanned wingman” for fighters or as an independent combat unit.
Technical specifications of X‑BAT include a range of over 2,000 nautical miles, the ability to carry air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground weapons, and an integrated electronic warfare system. The aircraft is equipped with stealth technology.
F-16 and F-35: Polish context
Shield AI’s proposal comes amid a large‑scale modernisation of the Polish Air Force. Warsaw has already received its first F-35 fighters (under a $4.6 billion contract signed in 2020).
At the same time, the Polish government is considering the purchase of up to 32 new fighters, with options including the Lockheed Martin F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F-15EX.
In addition, Poland is studying the possibility of joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth‑generation fighter programme led by Italy, Japan and the UK.
Regional F-16 engine service centre
In addition to X-BAT production, Shield AI has proposed setting up a regional F-16 engine service centre in Poland for all of NATO in Europe. As Tusk noted, this project “would be a sort of service centre for all of NATO in Europe.”
The idea is to create a maintenance, repair and logistics hub on the alliance’s eastern flank. Although several European countries (the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark) have already retired their F-16s, the aircraft remains the backbone of the air forces of many NATO members — Poland, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Belgium, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
‘Poland first’
Shield AI has long shown interest in Poland. In March 2026, company president and co‑founder Brandon Tseng told Defence24 that Poland was his top priority in Europe: “I have many European countries in my plans, but Poland is first.”
The company, founded in 2015, was valued at $12.7 billion in a funding round in March 2026.
In addition to X-BAT and Hivemind, Shield AI also has the V-BAT drone.
Criticism and safety concerns
Amid ambitious plans, the company faces criticism. Earlier in June 2026, Reuters reported incidents with V-BAT: a Romanian soldier lost two fingers after coming into contact with the drone’s propeller.
The agency also reported more than 50 V-BAT crashes over the past 18 months and the dismissal of employees who raised safety concerns.
Shield AI insists on the high safety standards of its products.
