Poland plans large-scale purchases of GBU-39 bombs and Patriot missiles worth billions of dollars
Warsaw is seeking to significantly strengthen its air and anti-aircraft capabilities by requesting the purchase of more than two thousand pieces of modern US weapons, including precision bombs and missiles for the Patriot system.
Here's What We Know
According to the US Office of Defence Cooperation and Security and the Defence24 portal, Poland has requested the purchase of 1,400 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) precision-guided bombs, along with training mock-ups, fuzes, logistics, technical support and related software solutions.
The deal is estimated to be worth $180 million, and Boeing will be the main contractor.
In addition, the US Congress is considering Poland's request to purchase 788 PAC-2 GEM-T (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) missiles for the Patriot air defence system. The purchase could be worth up to $5.8 billion.
Illustrative photo of the GBU-39. Illustration: U.S. Department of Defence
The request is an extension of an existing agreement from 2018, when Poland purchased two batteries of MIM-104 Patriot systems, but without the anti-aircraft missiles themselves. The PAC-2 GEM-T missiles are capable of engaging air targets at a range of up to 160 km, and their purchase will significantly strengthen the country's air defence shield.
The procurement is expected to be the largest for Poland in its defence partnership with the United States and will significantly strengthen the security of NATO's eastern flank.
Source: DSCA
