Finance
Polish Air Traffic Authority Launches New Radars to Boost Detection
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 19, 2026
Quick Summary
Poland’s air navigation agency (PANSA) has activated two new radars—near Katowice and Pultusk—as part of a 1.4 billion‑zloty investment (2024–2029), enhancing civil‑military coordination and airspace monitoring amid rising hybrid threats.
Poland Deploys New Air Traffic Radars to Boost Airspace Detection and Security
Poland Enhances Airspace Monitoring and Security Measures
Deployment of New Radars
WARSAW, March 19 (Reuters) - Poland's air traffic control launched two new radars on Thursday aimed at improving radiolocation data and operational security, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said.
Response to Regional Security Threats
Poland, which regularly scrambles fighter jets along with NATO allies to police its airspace in response to Russian aerial attacks over Ukraine, has been ramping up its air monitoring capabilities.
Recent Airspace Violations
Poland has reported a number of airspace violations in recent years, including an incursion by around 20 drones Warsaw says were Russian in September and a flurry of balloons from Belarus which it says are meant to probe NATO's air detection systems.
Details of the New Radar Systems
The new devices are a co-located radar near Katowice and a secondary one near Pultusk, PANSA said. The launch comes as part of an investment plan worth 1.4 billion zlotys between 2024 and 2029.
Technological Advancements
The technology used in the new radars will enable more precise communication between aircraft and air traffic control, PANSA's spokesman said, adding that all radar information was also shared with the military.
Civil-Military Cooperation
"PANSA is responsible for civil aviation traffic control, but we also develop civil-military cooperation, i.e. by creating tools enabling flexible airspace management in the event of a necessity to conduct military operations within its part."
(Reporting by Karol Badohal; Editing by Alison Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •Boost to precision and security: New co‑located radars improve radiolocation data and civil‑military communication, supporting NATO‑aligned air policing.
- •Investment backdrop: The radar deployment is one element of a broader 1.4 billion zloty modernization plan for Poland’s air navigation capabilities through 2029.
- •Rising hybrid threats: Recent Russian drone incursions (September 2025) and Belarus‑origin balloon violations underscore the urgency of bolstering Poland’s air surveillance systems.
Frequently Asked Questions about Polish air traffic authority launches new radars to boost detection
1Why has Poland launched new air traffic radars?
Poland launched new radars to improve radiolocation data and operational security amid increased airspace violations from neighboring countries.
2Where are the new radars located?
The new radars are situated near Katowice and Pultusk, enhancing Poland's airspace monitoring capabilities.
3How do the new radars improve Poland's airspace security?
The new technology allows more precise communication between aircraft and air traffic control, supporting both civilian and military operations.
4Is the radar data shared with the military?
Yes, all information from the new radars is also shared with Polish military authorities for joint civil-military airspace management.
5What is the investment value of this radar project?
The radar project is part of a 1.4 billion zlotys investment plan by the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency for 2024 to 2029.