Polish Defence Giant WB Group Eyes Long-Term Production in India: Warmate Drones, FlyEye UAVs, and More

Polish defence major WB Group is making waves in the Indian market with its strategic push to establish a long-term presence and production capabilities. Piotr Wojciechowski, President-CEO of WB Group, underscored India's significance, calling it both a massive market and an essential industrial partner. Having already delivered their Warmate loitering munitions to the Indian Army, WB Group is looking at deeper engagement, investments, and expanding its portfolio in India.

The relationship between WB Group and India is evolving beyond just sales. The company has set up a joint venture, WB Electronics India Pvt. Ltd., to spearhead its production activities. According to Wojciechowski, India is an attractive location for the group due to its highly educated talent pool and resource availability, a contrast to the challenges of finding skilled talent in Poland. The company is planning to leverage India's "Make in India" initiative, aligning with the country's ambition of local manufacturing and self-reliance in the defence sector.

WB Group’s investment in India isn’t just limited to the Warmate systems. The company is keen on expanding its product line in India, which includes software-defined radios and the FlyEye UAV—both of which have been rigorously tested in the war in Ukraine. The FlyEye UAV, touted as one of the best in the world, complements the Warmate by extending its range to 100 km when controlled through aerial surveillance. These systems, fully compatible with NATO standards, add to the appeal for countries looking to modernize their arsenals with cutting-edge, interoperable technology.

Indian armed forces have already shown immense interest in WB Group’s offerings, especially under the Emergency Procurement (EP) route. In recent years, India has fast-tracked the acquisition of drones, loitering munitions, and counter-drone systems to bolster its military capabilities. Under the latest EP-4 scheme, the Indian Army concluded over 70 procurement projects, valued at ₹11,000 crore, while the Indian Air Force signed contracts worth around ₹8,137 crore. This surge in demand for advanced technology presents a golden opportunity for WB Group, which is already benefiting from the Indian Army’s use of Warmate drones in the challenging conditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Since its founding in 1997, WB Group has expanded to encompass 20 companies employing 250,000 people. While the company initially focused on communication systems and electronics, its unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), particularly the Warmate and FlyEye, have gained significant attention in recent years. The company reported a substantial increase in demand for the Warmate system since 2021, with deliveries surpassing 5,000 units. The success of these drones, particularly in war-torn Ukraine, has cemented WB Group’s reputation as a leading player in the global defence industry.

In India, WB Group’s future ambitions go beyond just local sales. CEO Wojciechowski is clear in his vision: the production facilities they plan to establish in India will not only cater to domestic needs but also serve WB Group’s global supply chain. By sourcing components such as composites, electronics, and software from India, the company aims to position India as a key supplier for its global operations. Ashish Sharma, CEO of WB Electronics India, emphasized the company’s commitment to local manufacturing and collaboration with Indian industry and academia, further underscoring the long-term nature of WB Group’s presence in India.

Europe, too, remains an essential market for WB Group, especially as countries ramp up their defence spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland, WB Group’s home country, is allocating a significant portion of its GDP (around 4-4.5%) to modernize its military, and WB Group is currently focused on meeting domestic demand. However, Wojciechowski stressed that exports, especially to markets like India, will play a crucial role in the company’s long-term growth.

As India continues to scale up its military capabilities, the collaboration with WB Group signals a critical shift towards enhanced self-reliance in defence manufacturing. WB Group’s wide-ranging expertise in communication, reconnaissance, unmanned systems, and modernisation of military vehicles aligns well with India’s current needs and future ambitions. With plans to integrate Indian talent and resources into their global operations, WB Group is positioning itself as a significant player in India’s defence ecosystem.