The European Commission has released an extra €130 million from the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) to help 16 EU Member States—including Poland—and Norway deploy drone and counter-drone technologies along the EU’s external frontiers. The fresh funding comes on top of the €250 million package unveiled in December 2025 and is earmarked for projects that improve aerial surveillance, integrate unmanned-aircraft detection into national IT systems, and train border officers in rapid threat response. Warsaw’s Border Guard Headquarters has been lobbying for greater EU support as it modernises surveillance of the 418-kilometre eastern land border with Belarus and Ukraine—an area that has seen repeated attempts at irregular entry since 2021. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the new tranche could finance long-range drones capable of thermal imaging as well as jammer systems designed to disable smuggling drones used for contraband drops. Business-travel managers say the investment will reduce unplanned closures of road crossings such as Kuźnica-Bruzgi by giving authorities earlier warning of organised crossings or hybrid threats. That, in turn, should translate into fewer last-minute itinerary changes for transport operators moving components from German plants to Polish factories. The Commission stresses that funded projects must be operational by 31 December 2029, but procurement procedures can start immediately—meaning Polish suppliers of surveillance equipment and IT integrators may soon be invited to tender. Companies relocating staff to or through Poland should therefore expect tighter but more technology-driven checks at external EU borders over the next three years.
Source: European Commission – DG HOME
