Poland has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US defense technology firm Anduril Industries to co-develop and manufacture autonomous air systems, including a localized variant of the Barracuda-500M cruise missile. The agreement, signed with state-owned defense group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), will integrate Polish suppliers within the PGZ network, strengthening domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
The collaboration aims to produce the Barracuda-500M for the Polish Armed Forces, positioning Poland as a key European hub for next-generation autonomous missile systems. The Barracuda-500M, part of Anduril’s Barracuda-M line unveiled in 2024, is designed as a low-cost, modular, and software-defined cruise missile, allowing rapid upgrades and adaptability against evolving threats.
Capable of launch from fighter aircraft such as the F-16 and transport platforms like the C-130, the Barracuda-500M carries a payload of 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and boasts a range of 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers). The weapon is optimized to engage both land and maritime targets, offering Poland a flexible and scalable deterrent capability.
Anduril describes the Barracuda as the “most producible cruise missile” on the market, built from commercially available components across six standardized sub-systems. Its efficient design — requiring 10 or fewer specialized tools for assembly — enables fast setup of production lines, supporting Poland’s goal of rapid industrial scalability and greater defense self-sufficiency within the NATO framework.
