Tusk Says Ukraine Will Help Poland Build ‘Drone Armada’

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Ukraine will support Poland’s plans to build a large-scale drone force, citing Kyiv’s battlefield experience and technical expertise. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk looks on during a joint press conference with the French President at the Main Town Hall in Gdansk, Poland, on April 20, 2026 during the French President's one-day visit to Poland. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday, April 27, that Ukraine will help Poland develop a large-scale “drone armada,” drawing on Kyiv’s extensive battlefield experience. Speaking at the Road to Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) event in the Polish city of Rzeszow, Tusk said Poland’s drone development plan would be supported by “technical expertise and drone competencies of Ukrainian partners,” according to Polish outlet Interia Wydarzenia . Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “I am proud to open this new chapter in building Polish security together with you, and proud that our partner in this endeavor is the country with the most experience in what determines control of the skies today,” Tusk said. He added that Ukraine has proven itself to be a key partner for countries seeking to defend their airspace, citing its “unique know-how” gained during the war. Tusk made the remarks alongside Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. According to Poland’s government information center, the Rzeszow conference marks the beginning of preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, described as the world’s largest event dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, scheduled to take place in June in Gdansk. Tusk said he hopes both events will become “milestones” for strengthening the security of Ukraine, Poland, and Europe. He also stressed that relations between Ukraine and its European partners are not one-sided. Other Topics of Interest A Vision of Drones in Every Soldier’s Backpack – Black Forest Systems CEO Interview with Black Forest Systems CEO outlines the vision to change the battlefield with individual drones for the infantry and Special Forces units. “Ukraine also has something to offer,” Tusk said, adding that cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv has created a model in which both sides contribute. The planned drone force, he said, is intended to strengthen both Poland’s national defense and its support for allies. “Poland must have a drone armada so that we can not only continue helping Ukraine, but also confidently tell our citizens that we are safe,” Tusk said. He added that the war has accelerated technological development, allowing countries like Poland to “skip an entire era” in military capabilities. Last week France and Poland planned increased defense cooperation in a meeting of their leaders Monday held against a background of Russia’s expansionist threat and a waning US commitment to Europe. On April 21, Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference in Gdansk, northern Poland, that the scope of the boosted ties between the two NATO members could cover elements of nuclear deterrence, military satellites, joint drills, defence industry and shared intelligence. Yuliia Zavadska is a news writer at Kyiv Post. She has experience in breaking news coverage, fact-checking, and digital journalism, with a focus on fast, accurate reporting and clear storytelling. Before joining Kyiv Post, she worked as a news feed editor for several leading Ukrainian media outlets.