Polish 'monster' gains global spotlight in drone warfare
The Polish anti-drone system from Tarnów Mechanical Works is attracting global attention. With its unique design and innovative approach, it draws interest from both Ukrainians and Russians. Let us recall what this weapon is and why it is gaining such interest.
Poland has become a pioneer in the field of anti-drone defence thanks to a system that has been dubbed the "Monster from Tarnów" by the media. This is not an exaggerated term, as this weapon is a response to the growing challenges associated with drone attacks observed during the war in Ukraine. Drones pose a significant threat and are increasingly used in armed conflicts. Therefore, solutions like those from Tarnów are gaining importance.
Modern technology and innovative approach
The Tarnów anti-drone system is characterised by an impressive firing rate of up to 3,600 rounds per minute. Using the WLKM machine gun with a 12.7 mm calibre, the weapon can effectively neutralise drones at a distance of up to 2 kilometres. The system was publicly presented at the MSPO trade fair, where it caught the attention of international media.
The weapon weighs about 1,100 kilograms (about 700 kilograms for the armament module with the machine gun and 450 rounds of ammunition, 300 kilograms for the mount, and 100 kilograms for the radar). The system has been under development since 2018.
International interest
The "Monster from Tarnów" has attracted attention not only from Ukraine but also from Russia. Ukrainian military services assess it as a pragmatic and innovative solution that can be easily integrated with other systems. The system's visibility on the international stage shows potential export opportunities, especially in the context of current military trends.
The Ukrainian service MIL.IN.UA described the "Monster from Tarnów" as effective not only against drones but also capable of combating live forces and ground equipment. Meanwhile, according to the Ukrainian online portal Glawkom, the current threats related to drones are real, causing the development of weaponry tested by Tarnów Mechanical Works to be a response to the latest challenges of military technology. The Polish system has also sparked interest in the Russian daily "Rossijskaya Gazeta" and the Romanian trade portal Defence Romania, which also wrote about it.
Outlook for the future
Tarnów Mechanical Works previously reported that the system can operate in three different modes. The first is manual mode, where the operator uses a manipulator to manually aim the system at the target. In semi-automatic mode, the operator receives assistance in the form of automatic target tracking. The automatic mode entails that the final decision to fire is made by the operator based on the system's indications.
Representatives of Tarnów Mechanical Works admit that the system may soon be implemented for serial production. Currently, work is underway on its further development and optimisation, including integration with combat vehicles. The company is also working on electromagnetic systems that could further increase air defence effectiveness.
