A new production line in Bydgoszcz will assemble American Barracuda 500 missiles and create local jobs. The deal signals deeper US–Poland defense ties and plans for Polish modifications.
In the city of Bydgoszcz (northern Poland), at Military Aviation Plant No. 2 (WZL2), American Barracuda 500 cruise missiles will be produced for the Polish Armed Forces.
The agreement was signed by the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the American defense company Anduril Industries.
Present at the signing ceremony were, among others, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The Prime Minister said in this context that Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has underscored the importance of modern weapons systems, especially cruise missiles.
The war in Ukraine, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has essentially taught all of us – not only in Poland – to understand the importance of different kinds of weapons. We all recognize that such weapons truly have a key role in the defense capabilities of every state
– Donald Tusk
Strategic significance and production prospects
The Prime Minister added that the strong attention to this project from the American company is tied to the drive to strengthen regional defense and the US-Poland partnership.
Poland today is seen as a country highly ready to cooperate with the United States and other NATO allies using its own resources, Europe’s resources, and funds from the European defense program SAFE to bolster the defense of Poland, Europe, and the entire North Atlantic Alliance.
The Ministry of National Defense of Poland noted that implementing the agreement will enable PGZ companies to perform assembly, serial production, and maintenance of Barracuda missiles.
In the next phase, the parties plan to jointly develop a Polish modification of this missile.
The strategic agreement to create a production site for Barracuda missiles in Poland between PGZ and Anduril Industries was signed in October 2025.
The Barracuda 500 cruise missile has a warhead weighing more than 45 kg and a flight range of about 900 kilometers. It can be launched from ground-based launchers as well as from combat and transport aircraft.
Subsequently, PGZ does not rule out opening an office in Ukraine for further cooperation with the Ukrainian side and is considering upgrading Ukrainian F-16s and MiG-29s.
Finally, the development of this production site underscores the involvement of European defense potential and Poland’s integration into NATO’s defense architecture.