Poland is updating its air defense procedures to allow fighter planes and helicopters to shoot down foreign aircraft based on radar data and other system information, moving away from peacetime requirements for visual identification. The decision, announced Monday, September 28, 2026, by Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk, introduces defense measures typically reserved for martial law or a state of war.
Shift to Positive Identification
Under the new rules, which are expected to take effect in the coming days, the military will transition from visual identification
to a standard officials call positive identification.
This change enables an operational commander or pilot to authorize the destruction of an unidentified aircraft using a combination of data points, including:
- Radar readings and trajectory
- The speed of the aircraft
- The direction from which the aircraft entered Polish airspace
- Responses—or lack thereof—to friend-or-foe signals
Tomczyk noted that this capability is a novelty within NATO. Previously, peacetime standards required pilots to make visual contact to avoid the risk of mistakenly targeting allied or civilian aircraft.
Response to Russian Threats and Drone Warfare
The policy shift is a direct response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, now entering its fifth winter, and the increasing threat of Russian drones. Officials stated that the appearance of cruise missiles and fast jet-powered drones leaves military personnel with very little time to react. Tomczyk explained that the change was necessary because Poland faces the possibility of drones entering its territory on a daily basis.
https://x.com/CTomczyk/status/2104498438993809429
The decision was made by Lt Gen Ireneusz Nowak, the operational commander of the armed forces. This follows warnings from Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated earlier in September that Russia plans “hybrid” missile and drone strikes against allies of Kyiv, including Poland, to weaken the cohesion of NATO.
Safeguards Against Military Errors
Despite the expanded authority to fire from a distance, officials emphasized that the rules include safeguards to prevent mistakes. A missing transponder response or an unusual flight path will not be sufficient on its own to classify an aircraft as hostile, due to the possibility of technical malfunctions affecting civilian or allied flights. Similarly, entering a no-fly zone will not automatically trigger a decision to fire.
A decision to engage will instead rely on multiple indicators. For example, a pilot may fire if they have a combination of a radar reading, information from Ukraine, and evidence that the aircraft has entered a no-fly zone.
Security Context in Poland
Poland has become a primary hub for transporting humanitarian and military support to Ukraine and is one of NATO’s largest defense spenders relative to its economy. The country has accused Russia of “hybrid” provocations, including violations of its airspace and a mass drone incursion that occurred in September 2025. Tomczyk announced these changes during a ceremony in Dęblin, eastern Poland, where the government also signed an engine-servicing deal with GE Aerospace related to the purchase of AH-64 Apache helicopters.
