Poland’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed plans to introduce the WLKM 12.7 mm Gatling gun, a domestically developed weapon designed to strengthen the country’s short-range air defense and counter-drone capabilities. The system would provide a close-in defense option, capable of rapidly engaging unmanned aerial vehicles and other low-altitude targets. By relying on a domestic design, Warsaw also reinforces its policy of strengthening Poland’s defense industrial base while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The Polish Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the value of any contract or the timeline for production. Other NATO members, including nearby Lithuania, which has also experienced multiple incursions by Russian drones, are looking for cost-effective counter-UAS solutions.