From TechRadar · · 1m 30s
Anduril will build its new cruise missile in Poland
A US defense startup and Poland's state arms group are lining up local production of a ground-launched cruise missile, with autonomous aircraft in the same pitch.
In brief
A US defense startup and Poland's state arms group are lining up local production of a ground-launched cruise missile, with autonomous aircraft in the same pitch. Poland is buying capability and the factory that makes it, so US drone and missile makers now build inside NATO's eastern front rather than just selling…
A missile deal with Warsaw
Anduril signed with PGZ, Poland's state-owned defense conglomerate, to jointly produce a cruise missile called the Barracuda-500M.
Built inside Poland
The ground-launched weapon is set for local manufacture under a long-term arrangement, covering assembly first and eventually full-scale production on Polish soil.
A mock-up in Kielce
Anduril put a full-scale model of the missile on public display at MSPO, Poland's annual defense exhibition, where reps laid out the partnership.
The details nobody has given
No timeline for full production or an operational date. Anduril also won't say whether early components ship from the United States for assembly in Poland.
Russia is the reason
Warsaw keeps expanding its arsenal as military activity picks up near NATO's eastern border, and this deal lands in the middle of that buildup.
Fury flies with the F-35
Anduril is separately pitching its Fury combat drone as a wingman for Poland's incoming 32 F-35s. The US Air Force already picked it for a funded program.
“Fury is tailor-made to partner with an F-35 as a loyal wingman.”
Thunder and 96 Apaches
Poland will become the world's second-largest Apache operator, with deliveries starting in 2028. Anduril's Thunder rotorcraft is pitched to fly alongside them.
“Poland will have to train a lot of pilots for 96 Apaches.”
The short version
Poland is buying capability and the factory that makes it, so US drone and missile makers now build inside NATO's eastern front rather than just selling into it.
