Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter program

WARSAW, Poland — California-based defense technology firm Shield AI has offered Poland a role in its X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter jet program, with the country potentially hosting some of the manufacturing activities for the aircraft, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“Their intention is to also cooperate with Poland, and to produce in Poland, for the X-BAT program, the first autonomous combat aircraft in the world,” Tusk said at a June 16 press conference in Warsaw. “It’s top-tier technology, a chance for air domination in case of an armed conflict, and an incredibly ambitious project with regard to technology and innovativeness.”

Shield AI unveiled the X-BAT in October 2025, promoting its artificial intelligence-driven unmanned fighter capable of vertical takeoffs and landings as a platform suitable for expeditionary and maritime operations in contested environments.

“At the core of X-BAT is Shield AI’s Hivemind, AI-enabled autonomy software designed to fly platforms in communications-denied, degraded, and limited environments,” the company said in a statement. “Hivemind enables X-BAT to autonomously penetrate contested battlespace, dynamically team with manned aircraft, and execute collaborative tactics without constant communications. This autonomy allows X-BAT to function as a drone wingman or as a standalone asset.”

The latest announcement comes as the Polish government is mulling plans to acquire up to 32 new fighter jets , with some of the evaluated options including: Lockheed Martin’s F-35 ; the Eurofighter Typhoon, a jet produced by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo; and Boeing’s F-15EX.

At the same time, Warsaw is also considering to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and involve the country’s defense sector in the project to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. The Polish government is evaluating whether engaging its state-dominated defense industry in the tri-nation initiative, which is spearheaded by Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, could boost the sector’s capacities and innovativeness, according to Polish Deputy State Assets Minister Konrad Gołota.

Set up in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense tech company. In addition to X-BAT and Hivemind, its other products include the V-BAT drone.

Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.

波兰华沙——据波兰总理唐纳德·图斯克称，总部位于加利福尼亚州的国防技术公司 Shield AI 已向波兰发出邀请，希望波兰参与其 X-BAT 自主垂直起降战斗机项目，波兰有可能承办该飞机的部分制造活动。

图斯克在6月16日于华沙举行的新闻发布会上表示：“他们的目标是与波兰合作，并在波兰为X-BAT项目生产世界上第一架自主作战飞机。这是一项顶尖技术，一旦发生武装冲突，将有机会夺取制空权，而且就技术和创新性而言，这是一个雄心勃勃的项目。”

Shield AI 于 2025 年 10 月推出了 X-BAT，推广其人工智能驱动的无人战斗机，该战斗机能够垂直起降，是适合在对抗环境中进行远征和海上行动的平台。

“X-BAT的核心是Shield AI的Hivemind，这是一款人工智能赋能的自主软件，旨在使平台能够在通信受限、通信条件恶劣或通信受限的环境中飞行，”该公司在一份声明中表示。“Hivemind使X-BAT能够自主渗透敌对战场，与有人驾驶飞机动态协同作战，并在无需持续通信的情况下执行协同战术。这种自主性使X-BAT既可以作为无人机僚机，也可以作为独立作战力量。”

最新公告发布之际，波兰政府正在考虑采购多达 32 架新型战斗机，一些正在评估的选项包括：洛克希德·马丁公司的 F-35；由空客、BAE 系统公司和莱昂纳多公司组成的联合体生产的欧洲战斗机“台风”；以及波音公司的 F-15EX。

与此同时，华沙也在考虑加入全球作战空中计划（GCAP），并让该国国防部门参与第六代战斗机的研发项目。波兰国家资产部副部长康拉德·戈沃塔表示，波兰政府正在评估，让其国有主导的国防工业参与这项由意大利、日本和英国牵头的三国合作计划，是否能够提升该行业的产能和创新能力。

Shield AI成立于2015年，是一家风险投资支持的国防科技公司。除了X-BAT和Hivemind之外，其其他产品还包括V-BAT无人机。

Jaroslaw Adamowski 是《防务新闻》驻波兰记者。