The Ministry of National Defense for the Republic of Poland has signed the contract for the first phase of the two-stage ‘WISŁA’ programme to upgrade the anti-aircraft and anti-missile medium-range missile system of the country.
As part of the ‘WISŁA-1 Phase’ project, Poland signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the acquisition of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles and related support equipment.
The PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity interceptor that helps expand the battlespace with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor that can effectively operate in high altitude and range.
Integrated with hit-to-kill technology, the interceptor can protect against incoming threats such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft, through kinetic energy via body-to-body contact.
In addition, the Government of Poland has also signed letters of offer and acceptance with the US Government to buy Raytheon’s Patriot system from the US Army. This is in addition to acquiring Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) developed and delivered by Northrop Grumman.
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems president Wes Kremer said: “Poland joins the now 15-nation-strong group of countries, which trust Patriot to defend their citizens, military, and sovereignty.
“Poland’s procurement of Patriot strengthens Trans-Atlantic partnership and security by enabling a common approach to IAMD, and creating jobs in the US and Poland.”
Poland is the first international partner country to buy the IBCS that would help support the country’s modernised air defence capabilities.
IBCS is designed to replace stove-piped legacy C2 systems. The command system provides a single integrated air picture and offers wider surveillance and broader protection areas using integrated sensors and interceptors.
Under Phase II of the WISŁA programme, Poland intends to purchase additional Patriot batteries with IBCS, Gallium-Nitride-based 360° active electronically scanning array radar (AESA), and SkyCeptor low-cost interceptor missiles.
