On September 15, 2025, a Polish consortium officially launched the IRYDA PLUS project, Europe’s first unmanned fighter aircraft designed specifically for counter-UAS missions. A New Approach to the Cost-Exchange ProblemModern conflicts have highlighted a growing imbalance in the cost of air defense. IRYDA PLUS reverses this logic – it provides a fast, effective and much cheaper solution,” consortium representatives said at the launch. Poland’s Role in the Evolving Air Defense LandscapeThe IRYDA PLUS project underscores how nations are rethinking air defense strategies in response to lessons learned from Ukraine and other conflicts. If successful, IRYDA PLUS could represent both a milestone for Polish defense innovation and a product with significant global export potential.