Poland Considers Joining Shield AI's X-BAT Autonomous VTOL Combat Aircraft Program
U.S. defense tech firm Shield AI has invited Poland to join its X-BAT autonomous VTOL combat aircraft program, potentially hosting part of the production line domestically. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the X-BAT as world-class technology for achieving air superiority. The development comes as Warsaw evaluates the purchase of up to 32 new fighter jets.
Highlights
- Shield AI invited Poland to join the X-BAT autonomous VTOL combat aircraft program, with potential domestic production, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on June 16.
- The X-BAT, unveiled in October 2025, uses Shield AI's Hivemind AI flight software to operate autonomously in communications-degraded environments without continuous data links.
- Poland is evaluating the purchase of up to 32 new fighter jets, with the F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, and F-15EX currently under consideration.
- Warsaw is also assessing whether to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter initiative led by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
- Shield AI, founded in 2015, is a venture-backed U.S. defense tech company whose product line includes the X-BAT, V-BAT drone, and Hivemind autonomy platform.
Warsaw, Poland — U.S.-based defense technology company Shield AI has invited Poland to participate in its X-BAT autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) combat aircraft program, with Poland potentially taking on a portion of the aircraft's manufacturing, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw on June 16, Tusk stated: "They want to cooperate with Poland and produce the X-BAT in Poland — the world's first autonomous combat aircraft. This is cutting-edge technology, an opportunity to gain air superiority in armed conflict, and a program that is highly ambitious in terms of technology and innovation."
X-BAT: An AI-Powered Autonomous Combat Drone
Shield AI officially unveiled the X-BAT in October 2025, positioning it as an AI-driven, VTOL-capable unmanned combat aircraft designed for expeditionary and maritime operations in complex, contested environments.
According to the company: "At the core of X-BAT is Shield AI's Hivemind — an AI autonomy flight software designed to pilot aircraft in communications-degraded, denied, or disrupted environments. Hivemind enables X-BAT to autonomously penetrate contested airspace, dynamically team with manned aircraft, and execute collaborative tactics without the need for continuous communications. This autonomy allows X-BAT to function as both an unmanned wingman and a standalone combat asset."
Poland Evaluating Multiple Fighter Acquisition Options
The announcement comes as the Polish government assesses plans to procure up to 32 new fighter jets. Aircraft currently under consideration include Lockheed Martin's F-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon produced by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, and Boeing's F-15EX.
Warsaw is also weighing participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which would allow its domestic defense industry to contribute to the sixth-generation fighter development project. According to Polish Deputy Minister of State Assets Konrad Gołota, the government is evaluating whether joining the Italy-Japan-UK trilateral initiative could help strengthen and drive innovation within Poland's state-led defense sector.
About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company. In addition to the X-BAT and the Hivemind AI autonomy platform, its product portfolio includes the V-BAT unmanned aircraft system.
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