Poland to buy armed drones amid Ukraine crisis

Poland said Tuesday it will acquire combat drones as part of a multi-billion-euro revamp of its armed forces amid heightened tensions with Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.
Warsaw will begin acquiring reconnaissance drones in 2017 and attack models in 2018-2019. Talks are underway with US manufacturers, among others.
Poland has earmarked 33.6 billion euros ($42 billion) to upgrade its military equipment over a decade, including acquiring a missile shield and anti-aircraft systems, armoured personnel carriers and submarines in addition to the drones.
The escalation of tensions with Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis has sounded the alarm on NATO's eastern flank in countries that were once under Moscow's thumb.
globalpost