KIELCE, Poland — Anduril Industries is pitching its Fury autonomous combat aircraft and Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft to Poland as potential companions for the country’s incoming F-35 fighter and AH-64E Apache helicopter fleets. The U.S. defense technology company is discussing the offerings with Poland’s Ministry of National Defence while separately working with state-run defense group PGZ on local assembly and production of the surface-launched Barracuda-500M cruise missile.
The negotiations could make Poland the first European user of the two autonomous aircraft, pending an agreement with the ministry. Brian Moran, Anduril’s vice president for Europe, said at the MSPO defense show that the company sees the programs as aligned with Warsaw’s planned force structure.
Fury for Poland’s F-35 fleet
Poland is acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 jets, with the first aircraft arriving in the country last May. Moran said Anduril’s Fury was selected by the U.S. Air Force as a program of record under its collaborative combat aircraft, or CCA, effort.
“With Poland getting its F-35s, Fury is tailor-made to partner with an F-35 as a loyal wingman and as a force multiplier to keep men and women in uniform out of harm’s way.”
Brian Moran, Anduril vice president for Europe
Thunder pitch follows Apache plans
Anduril is also in talks with Polish officials over a potential sale of Thunder, an autonomous collaborative platform introduced at the Farnborough Airshow in July. The company is presenting the aircraft in connection with Poland’s order for 96 Apache helicopters.
“And just like Fury operating with an F-35, with Poland getting all these Apaches, having Thunder is a force multiplier, especially as Poland will have to train a lot of pilots for 96 Apaches.”
Brian Moran, Anduril vice president for Europe
Deliveries of the 96 helicopters, along with related equipment and weapons, are scheduled to begin in 2028. Once the aircraft are supplied, Poland’s military is expected to become the world’s second-largest Apache user after the United States. In anticipation of those deliveries, Poland’s defense ministry last year signed a $300 million contract to lease eight AH-64D Apaches from the United States.
Alongside the aircraft proposals, Anduril has teamed with PGZ on the Barracuda-500M missile project. The company’s prospective Polish programs remain subject to the ongoing discussions with the Ministry of National Defence.
