Poland has officially launched the San counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) as part of its flagship Eastern Shield programme, marking the deployment of Europe’s largest defensive network dedicated to countering small and unmanned aerial threats.
The San system forms an additional defensive layer within Poland’s integrated national air defence architecture. The programme is designed to strengthen very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) capabilities through a cost-effective and sustainable approach, optimised to counter loitering munitions and coordinated drone swarm attacks that have become increasingly prevalent on modern battlefields.
Within NATO, San is widely viewed as a benchmark solution for counter-drone defence, positioning Poland as a leading European reference in this rapidly evolving domain. The system is also considered a strong candidate for export to Baltic and Northern European states, reinforcing Poland’s emerging role as a centre of excellence for advanced defence technologies and modern air defence innovation.
