Thales proposes weaponised Watchkeeper for Polish tactical UAV requirement

Thales has proposed teaming with Polish industry to offer a weaponised version of the WK450 Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle for Warsaw’s tactical UAV requirement.

Under the proposal, the British Army’s surveillance UAV would be adapted by Polish partners – potentially Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, the Institute of Aviation, WB Group, WZL-2 and Mesko – to integrate Thales’ free-fall lightweight multirole missile (LMM).

Matt Moore, head of Thales UK's UAS business, says that Watchkeeper would be able to carry four free-fall LMMs on two underwing hardpoints.

Poland wants to acquire 12 tactical UAVs through the “Orlik” (Eaglet) programme acquisition, with aircraft to be delivered by 2022.

Purchase of an additional batch of the selected type is planned between 2022 and 2026, while a selection decision and contract signature is expected during 2016, according to a defence ministry notice for the programme issued in January.