PGZ to Produce American Missiles: The Barracuda Ambition Faces Reality Check

Poland’s Military Aviation Works No. 2 (WZL-2) has signed an agreement with U.S.-based Anduril Industries to produce SLB-500M Barracuda cruise missiles, though the project currently lacks a formal military procurement contract.

A New Partnership for Mass Production

The agreement was signed at WZL-2, a PGZ subsidiary previously focused on maintaining post-Soviet and Western aircraft. The facility is set to transition from initial assembly of foreign-supplied components to full-scale domestic production of the American-designed cruise missiles.

The deal was finalized in the presence of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun.

From Silicon Valley to Polish Assembly Lines

Collaboration between PGZ and Anduril—a tech-focused defense firm founded in 2017—began with an October 2025 agreement. The partners aim to manufacture thousands of SLB-500M systems, with plans to gradually increase the share of Polish and European components to meet the requirements of the SAFE program.

The initiative aims to create a “Polish version” of the Barracuda, potentially positioning the project for European Union funding. Despite the high-level attendance at the signing, no formal purchase order or final contract from the Polish Armed Forces has been confirmed.

Operational Capabilities and Comparisons

The Barracuda-500M is a cruise missile designed for mass production, featuring a range of nearly 1,000 km and a 45-kilogram warhead. While it functions similarly to the Iranian-Russian Shahed/Geran series, it utilizes a jet engine to reach speeds of 800–900 km/h, making it significantly faster and harder to intercept.

Compared to the traditional JASSM-ER missile, which carries a much larger payload but costs approximately five times more, the Barracuda offers a lower-cost, high-volume alternative. However, its effectiveness is limited by a smaller warhead capacity.

Advertising Versus Reality

Anduril claims the Barracuda is simple enough to be assembled in consumer appliance or automotive factories, citing lower tool requirements and fewer parts. These claims remain primarily based on marketing materials, as the system has not yet been formally adopted or purchased by any military force since its 2024 unveiling.

Official pricing remains elusive. While initial projections suggested a unit cost under $200,000, similar agreements involving Taiwan indicated a figure closer to $215,000 per unit.