Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Thursday that the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will be bought from General Atomics, a U.S.-based company.

The purchase comes as armed forces around the world scramble to equip themselves with drones. UAVs have come to the fore in the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, changing the dynamics of the conflict.

“The construction of a drone force is an absolute priority for us,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “A few months ago I announced the creation of drone forces… From January 1, drone forces will operate not as a plan, but as a real part of the Polish Army.

“Today, it is impossible to effectively pursue a policy of deterrence and defense without investing in this type of force,” he added.

The MQ-9B drones, the minister said, can reach altitudes of up to 15 km, achieve speeds of approximately 480 km/h and remain airborne for over 20 hours. These UAVs are designed for both surveillance and offensive missions.

Kosiniak-Kamysz also said that additional agreements for drone equipment acquisitions would be signed “almost daily” through the end of the year.