Poland buys six Patriot batteries with 48 M903 launchers and the most advanced PAC-3 MSE missile interceptors
Poland is buying Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. This was announced by the head of national defence Mariusz Błaszczak during the XXXI International Salon of Defence Industry.
Here's What We Know
Poland will receive six batteries of Patriot air defence systems. They will include a total of 48 Patriot M903 launchers. They will allow the Polish Armed Forces to form three more Patriot divisions.
Together with the launchers, Poland will purchase Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) interceptors. It should be noted that the PAC-3 MSE is the most advanced version of the Patriot anti-missile system. One of the improvements is the advanced lethality enhancer, which increases the chance of destroying an airborne threat.
In the future, Poland plans to enter into an agreement with the US for the supply of IBCS (Integrated Battle Command System) components. This is an integrated air and missile defence system created by Northrop Grumman.
Deliveries of Patriot batteries will start at the end of 2026 and will last for three years. Poland will provide the air defence systems with pre-detection radars, communication hubs and transport.
Baterie systemu Patriot/IBCS, nowe Morskie Jednostki Rakietowe, zestawy rakietowe krótkiego zasięgu Narew czy elementy zestawu Pilica+ i bezzałogowce - to kolejne uzbrojenie, które trafi do Wojska Polskiego w efekcie podpisanych dziś umów podczas targów zbrojeniowych w Kielcach.... pic.twitter.com/qX0wvuXejF
- Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) September 5, 2023
The contract, in addition to Patriot batteries and PAC-3 MSE missile interceptors, includes the purchase of a ZENIT-MP+ command post and all-round radars. In total, Poland has signed several agreements worth almost $24 billion today. About half of them are aimed at strengthening the country's defence capabilities.
Source: GOV.PL