Poland's Navy has signed a strategic agreement with Shield AI for the procurement of MQ-35 V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles. The project, valued at $16 million, is expected to begin deliveries by the end of the year. While no official announcement has been made regarding which ship platforms will host the systems, technical and infrastructure preparations are underway to operationalize them quickly following completion.

The V-BAT platform will play a significant role in protecting critical infrastructure and communication networks. Equipped with advanced reconnaissance (ISR) and surveillance capabilities, the system will be employed for monitoring maritime assets and coastal regions, detecting suspicious activities, and conducting intelligence gathering operations. Shield AI President Ryan Tseng provided remarks on the platform's operational capacity. Tseng noted that V-BAT has proven capabilities in environments where communications and GPS signals are disrupted or intentionally jammed. Emphasizing the need for reliable, high-confidence sensor platforms capable of operating in all weather and sea conditions for Baltic Sea operations, Tseng stated that V-BAT fully addresses this requirement.

V-BAT offers an ideal solution for confined spaces such as ship decks through its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability. Resistant to electronic warfare and signal jamming attempts, the system remains operational in areas where GPS signals are weak or blocked. The platform changes frequencies to mitigate interference effects. Equipped with advanced optical sensors and artificial intelligence-based ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) imaging systems for object detection, V-BAT is fitted with passive sensors. Rather than emitting active signals, it analyzes environmental imagery and light data to minimize the risk of detection by enemy radar systems.

Notable for its compact design, V-BAT fits within the transport capacity of platforms such as the UH-60 Blackhawk. The system can conduct takeoff and landing operations at 10 knots aboard moving vessels and can perform missions in wind speeds up to 25 knots. Easily deployed and launched by a two-person crew, the platform demonstrates high performance in urban environments such as rooftops and building perimeters. Having proven its effectiveness against electronic warfare and signal jamming in Ukraine-Russia conflict operations, V-BAT is currently operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps. The platform continues reconnaissance and surveillance missions in critical regions including the Black Sea, Caribbean, and Middle East.

Escalating security threats in the Baltic Sea region, particularly risks to critical energy and communications infrastructure, have increased the need for advanced sensor systems among Poland and NATO allies. Reliable and flexible platforms such as V-BAT have become important tools for maintaining regional stability and enhancing the effectiveness of maritime operations. The agreement represents part of Poland's strategy to modernize its naval defense capabilities and align with NATO standards.