Poland has introduced its first domestically developed cruise missile, named Lanca, in a move aimed at strengthening technological independence and enhancing regional deterrence in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.
Designed for launch from both land and naval platforms, the Lanca features folding wings and standard transport containers. It uses a solid booster for initial acceleration, followed by a jet propulsion stage that enables sustained low-altitude flight at 50–100 metres, with a subsonic speed and an estimated range of 500 to 800 kilometres.
Guidance systems include GPS, inertial navigation, and scene-matching technologies to improve strike accuracy. The missile carries a conventional warhead weighing between 200 and 450 kilograms, making it suitable for a range of tactical and strategic targets.
The Lanca project is intended to reduce reliance on foreign missile systems, open new export opportunities, and ensure full compatibility with NATO protocols. Strategically, it represents a significant step in bolstering Poland’s political and military flexibility in Central Europe and the Baltic region, while providing versatile defensive options.
