Poland has signed a contract with U.S. company General Atomics worth approximately 1.2 billion zlotys ($295 million) to buy MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, its defense minister said  Thursday.

Amid the conflict in Ukraine, Poland is making large purchases of equipment and weapons, and in 2025 defense spending is set to reach 4.7% of GDP.

"This is the most modern technology ... This is a serious expense, but it is the highest quality equipment," defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Thursday.

"A few months ago I announced the creation of drone forces, which is becoming a fact. From January 1, drone forces will no longer be a plan, but a real part of the Polish Army."

The defense ministry said the American drones would be delivered to Poland by the first quarter of 2027, and the army is currently leasing an older version of the equipment.

($1 = 4.0696 zlotys)