WARSAW — March 9, 2026 : A Polish defense consortium led by MBF Group S.A. is advancing development of the Iryda Plus (IRYDA+), an unmanned aerial platform designed specifically to intercept and destroy hostile drones. The project is being developed in cooperation with a Turkish technology partner and is intended to provide a cost-effective kinetic counter-drone capability against medium-class unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Russian-made Shahed-series loitering munitions and Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones.
The program is being executed by a consortium formed in September 2025 that includes MBF Group S.A. as project leader, Squadron Sp. z o.o.—part of ASE Group—responsible for technical development and systems integration, and the Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski Polish Industrial Lobby (PLP), which provides expert support and project promotion. MBF Group, listed on Poland’s NewConnect market and headed by Col. Janusz Czarnecki, oversees strategic coordination and business management for the initiative.
In February 2026, MBF Group signed a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) agreement with the Turkish firm Shark Aviation. The arrangement grants the Turkish partner priority rights for potential future acquisition of the system while also supporting cooperation on UAV technologies and components. The agreement does not obligate an immediate purchase but establishes a framework for industrial collaboration and future procurement opportunities.
Design Purpose and Operational Concept
The Iryda Plus is being developed as a dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) platform designed to address the growing challenge posed by relatively inexpensive drones and loitering munitions. Modern air defense systems frequently rely on interceptor missiles that cost significantly more than the targets they destroy, creating a cost-exchange imbalance.
Developers state that the Iryda Plus is designed to reduce interception costs by using a reusable unmanned aircraft equipped with kinetic weapons rather than expensive missile interceptors. The system is intended to patrol designated airspace for extended periods and engage hostile drones once they are detected.
The platform is designed primarily to counter medium-class UAVs, but developers indicate that its performance parameters may also allow it to engage larger unmanned systems.
Flight Performance and Technical Characteristics
According to project specifications, the Iryda Plus is designed with performance characteristics tailored for persistent aerial patrol and pursuit interception.
The aircraft operates at a cruising and patrol speed of approximately 180 to 200 kilometers per hour, allowing it to conduct long-duration monitoring missions over protected areas. For interception, the drone can accelerate to pursuit speeds between 250 and 280 kilometers per hour, enabling it to intercept aerial targets traveling at speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour.
Its minimum operational flight speed is estimated at 50 to 60 kilometers per hour, allowing the aircraft to maintain stable flight while conducting surveillance or waiting for target detection.
The system is designed with an endurance of up to 10 hours, enabling extended patrol missions and allowing the aircraft to remain airborne while awaiting potential targets. The drone also features an operational payload capacity of approximately 15 to 20 kilograms, supporting sensor packages and onboard weapon systems.
These parameters are intended to enable the platform to intercept UAVs commonly used for reconnaissance and strike missions, including loitering munitions and tactical surveillance drones.
Armament and Targeting System
The primary armament of the Iryda Plus consists of a 7.62-millimeter light machine gun mounted on a 360-degree rotary nacelle that allows the weapon to engage targets from multiple angles during flight.
Instead of relying on explosive warheads or electronic jamming systems, the drone employs a hard-kill kinetic interception method, physically destroying or disabling hostile UAVs using direct gunfire.
Target engagement is managed by an onboard Target–Aim–Shot (TAS) system. This framework integrates artificial intelligence and sensor data fusion to automate several elements of the engagement process.
The TAS system performs automatic target tracking, evaluates engagement parameters such as relative position and motion, and adjusts firing solutions in real time. By processing sensor data and targeting calculations directly on the aircraft, the system enables rapid response during aerial engagements.
Developers state that the drone uses edge computing, allowing its AI systems to process targeting information locally rather than relying on constant communication with external control systems. This approach is intended to ensure the drone can continue operating in environments affected by electronic warfare, communications disruption, or signal jamming.
Sensors and System Integration
The platform can be equipped with electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems for target detection and identification. Developers have also indicated the possibility of integrating radar systems and linking the drone into broader air defense command networks.
The modular architecture is designed to allow integration with existing detection and command systems, enabling the aircraft to operate as part of a layered defense structure for identifying and neutralizing reconnaissance drones, strike UAVs, and loitering munitions.
Project Economics and System Configuration
The economic model behind the Iryda Plus is based on reducing the cost of counter-drone operations by using reusable unmanned interceptors instead of expensive missile systems.
At the current stage of development, the estimated cost of a complete operational set—including a ground control station and three Iryda Plus aircraft—is expected to amount to several million euros.
The consortium has also formalized internal agreements covering financing, intellectual property rights, and profit distribution. Under these arrangements, MBF Group and Squadron each hold 47.5 percent shares, while the Polish Industrial Lobby retains 5 percent.
Development Status and Potential Deployment
Development work on the system is continuing with the goal of producing demonstrator platforms and preparing for eventual commercialization. Initial briefings on the project have reportedly been presented to Polish authorities, who have expressed preliminary interest in the concept.
The Iryda Plus has been described by its developers as Europe’s first unmanned fighter aircraft designed specifically for counter-drone missions, combining Polish engineering development with international industrial cooperation.
No official timeline has been announced for the aircraft’s first flight or potential operational deployment.
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