Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk has unveiled a €2 billion plan to build a multi-layered anti-drone barrier stretching across Poland’s 700-kilometre border with Belarus and Ukraine. Announced on 27 December, the system will combine electronic jamming, kinetic interceptors and sensor towers to neutralise unmanned aircraft, a growing threat highlighted by recent incursions of Russian-made drones.
While primarily a defence project, the shield will have direct implications for civil aviation and cross-border trade. Air-navigation authorities expect temporary flight restrictions in the EP R129 zone to persist during installation, affecting charter services into Lublin and Rzeszów. Road-haulage associations also anticipate sporadic closures of secondary border crossings while masts and radar arrays are erected.
![Warsaw earmarks €2 billion for anti-drone shield along eastern frontier]()
Travellers whose plans are disrupted by rerouted flights or shifting border procedures can simplify any necessary visa updates through VisaHQ’s Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/). The platform offers real-time guidance on Schengen and national entry requirements, fast document processing, and expert support—helping business and leisure passengers stay on schedule despite evolving restrictions.
The EU’s SAFE defence loan programme will co-finance part of the build, underscoring Brussels’ view that Poland’s eastern border is the Union’s first line of defence. Partial capability is promised within six months—just ahead of the summer peak for business and leisure travel from neighbouring Ukraine.
Corporate security teams should monitor NOTAMs and Border Guard notices for rolling restrictions. Mobility managers relocating staff to Podlaskie or Lubelskie voivodeships may face short-term housing crunches as construction crews occupy local accommodation.
While primarily a defence project, the shield will have direct implications for civil aviation and cross-border trade. Air-navigation authorities expect temporary flight restrictions in the EP R129 zone to persist during installation, affecting charter services into Lublin and Rzeszów. Road-haulage associations also anticipate sporadic closures of secondary border crossings while masts and radar arrays are erected.
Travellers whose plans are disrupted by rerouted flights or shifting border procedures can simplify any necessary visa updates through VisaHQ’s Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/). The platform offers real-time guidance on Schengen and national entry requirements, fast document processing, and expert support—helping business and leisure passengers stay on schedule despite evolving restrictions.
The EU’s SAFE defence loan programme will co-finance part of the build, underscoring Brussels’ view that Poland’s eastern border is the Union’s first line of defence. Partial capability is promised within six months—just ahead of the summer peak for business and leisure travel from neighbouring Ukraine.
Corporate security teams should monitor NOTAMs and Border Guard notices for rolling restrictions. Mobility managers relocating staff to Podlaskie or Lubelskie voivodeships may face short-term housing crunches as construction crews occupy local accommodation.
