Poland is making a huge statement with regard to its future air defense system: After the US State Department agreed to a sale, the Eastern European country will purchase modern Patriot air defense systems from US manufacturer Raytheon for up to 13.7 billion euros.
As announced by the US defense export authority DSCA, the deal includes six batteries with a total of 48 M903 MIM-104 Patriot missile launchers, 644 modern PAC 3 MS missiles, twelve LTAMDS radar systems and twelve generators. The tender also included a support package with communication and test equipment, spare parts, receivers for the global positioning system PPS (SAASM) and other training and logistics services. https://militaeraktuell.at/eine-kleine-geschichte-der-raketen-abwehr/ “The proposed sale will enhance Poland’s missile defence capabilities and contribute to the modernization goals of the Polish military, while improving interoperability with the United States and other allies,” according to the DSCA. Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak sounded very similar: “This is an extremely important reinforcement of the Polish air defense system. We are confident that we will soon receive the approval of Congress.”
The first two ordered batteries of the Patriot system, which include eight launchers, were ordered by Warsaw back in 2018 – and delivered to Poland last year. Even then, the Ministry of Defense announced negotiations on the purchase of further systems. According to current information, the two batteries that have already been delivered should reach initial combat readiness by the end of 2023 to the beginning of 2024. To this end, they will be integrated into the air and missile defense system IBCS (Integrated Battle Command System) from Northrop Grumman. from Northrop Grumman. Poland is the first foreign operator of this system.
Departament Stanu wyraził zgodę na sprzedaż Polsce 48 wyrzutni systemu Patriot oraz ponad 600 pocisków PAC 3 MSE. To niezwykle ważne wzmocnienie polskiego systemu obrony przeciwlotniczej. Teraz czekamy na zgodę kongresu USA. pic.twitter.com/mhnym9X9ws
– Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) June 28, 2023
According to the original schedule, the first two batteries of the new order are to be delivered in 2026 and the order fulfilled in 2028. However, the next step is for the US Congress to approve the contract first.
