Warmate

The WB Electronics Warmate is a class of loitering munition UAV developed by the Polish defence contractor WB Group. Entering production in 2016, it is a man-portable electrically powered strike drone with a 1.1 m fuselage and 1.6 m wingspan, used for precision attack against personnel, light vehicles and armour. It has been fielded by the Polish Armed Forces and exported to several countries, and has seen use in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 2025 India–Pakistan strikes.

Development

Serial production began in 2016 and continues. Unit cost was quoted at US$26,459.93 in 2017. The family has since been expanded with reconnaissance, tube-launched, and enlarged derivatives, with the "3.0" generation refined from customer combat feedback. In Georgia, the type is produced domestically by the Delta-WB LTD joint venture. South Korea has ordered ten sets comprising nearly 200 Warmate 3 strike systems in combat and training configurations.

Design

The baseline Warmate is powered by an electric motor, with an empty weight of 4 kg, payload of 1.4 kg and maximum take-off weight of 5.7 kg. Cruise speed is 80 km/h, maximum horizontal speed 120 km/h and maximum attack speed 150 km/h. Data-link range is 30 km, with 60 minutes endurance, cruising at 150–300 m AGL with a ceiling of 3,000 m AMSL. Circular error probable is 1.5 m. Flight modes include AUTO, HOLD, FLY TO, CRUISE, SEARCH and ATTACK; an automated video tracker permits target impact after loss of communication. The type has swarming capability and forms part of the W2MPIR (Vampire) system, which combines Warmate 2 and Warmate 3.0 munitions with FlyEye and FT-5 Łoś reconnaissance platforms for SEAD and electronic warfare tasks against A2/AD networks. The 3.0 generation adds a low-RPM engine that can be shut down during the terminal engagement, folding propeller blades, additional wing control surfaces, and integration with the Topaz battle management system.

Armament

The Warmate carries training, HE-FRAG and HEAT warheads; the HE-FRAG round contains 300 g of TNT and the HEAT warhead penetrates 200–240 mm of RHA. Thermobaric fuel-air explosive warheads are also available within the family. Warmate 2 carries a 5 kg warhead in HE-FRAG, FAE or HEAT form, the latter penetrating 400 mm of RHA, with HE fragmentation and FAE implosion effects out to 40 m.

Operational History

Ukraine received Warmate units through Polish inter-government transfers and private fundraising following the 2022 Russian invasion; similar fundraisers were organised in Lithuania. The type participated in the 2025 India–Pakistan strikes. Operators include Poland (Armed Forces, Special Forces and Territorial Defence Force), Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, India (100 units), Georgia, and an unspecified NATO member. The Libyan National Army operates examples acquired by the UAE in 2020.

Variants

• Warmate: Baseline loitering munition with 5.7 kg MTOW, 30 km data-link range and 60 minute endurance.
• Warmate-R: ISR version on the same fuselage and ground segment with three cameras, optional thermal imaging and laser designator, 15 km range and 80 minute endurance.
• Warmate-TL: Tube-launched variant fired from man-portable or vehicle-mounted launchers, integrable with ground vehicles, helicopters and warships.
• Warmate 3.0: Refined generation with 30 km radio range extensible to 80 km by control handover, 70 minute endurance and folding propeller blades.
• Warmate 2: Enlarged 30 kg MTOW model launched from elastomeric vehicle-mounted launchers, with 180 km radio range, 30–240 km operational range and two hour endurance.