Poland’s Ministry of Defence is reportedly changing the procedures used by fighter aircraft and helicopters against objects entering the country’s airspace from the direction of Russia, according to media reports dated 28 September 2026.
Under the reported changes, pilots would no longer have to approach a target to identify it visually before opening fire. Instead, “positive identification” based on radar data would be sufficient for a decision to engage. The change would allow Polish forces to respond more quickly to drones and missiles without making a potentially dangerous close approach.
The ministry is reported to have linked the change to an increased risk of drones entering Polish airspace. Similar rules had previously been used mainly during wartime or under martial law. The available source describes the measure as an adjustment to Poland’s response procedures, but does not provide further details about the rules, their legal status or any specific incident that prompted the reported change.
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