The U.S. State Department authorized the possible sale of 12 Patriot air defense batteries to Poland for 15 billion dollars. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced it on his social networks.
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
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement informing of the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Poland of:
- 48 M903 PATRIOT Launching Stations;
- up to 644 PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC) 3, Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles;
- 48 Launcher Interface Network Kits (LINKs);
- 12 360° Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors (LTAMDS) 360° Radars;
- 12 LTPS Large Tactical Power Systems for LTAMDS.
The package offered by the U.S. also includes communications equipment; tools and test equipment; support equipment; generators; spare parts; repair parts; Global Positioning System PPS (SAASM) receivers; modification kits; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services for planning, execution, Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO), flight test activities, field office support and training; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $15 billion.
Shielding Polish airspace
This eventual purchase corresponds to the second phase of the Wisła integrated air and anti-missile defense program, which, in its first stage in 2018, included the purchase of the first two Patriot missile batteries for $4.75 billion.
See also: Poland and MBDA signed contract for the acquisition of CAMM air defense system
Poland is making great efforts to modernize and enhance its armed forces, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And the creation of an integrated multi-layer air and anti-missile defense network is receiving a great deal of attention.
Wiele zdjęć, szczególnych ujęć powstaje na misjach, poligonach czy placach ćwiczeń. Zapraszamy na https://t.co/DTwMIYV4On, gdzie znajdziecie stopklatki żołnierskiej codzienności, w tym np. szkolenie żołnierzy obrony przeciwlotniczej i przeciwrakietowej.#WISŁA MAŁA #NAREW #PILICA pic.twitter.com/EUHR3NZlyN
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) April 28, 2023
The missile component of the Polish airspace ” shielding” includes the Patriot missiles of the Wisła system at the upper level, the CAMM and CAMM-ER of the NAREW system and PILICA+ for the middle and lower levels, accompanied in the very short-range air defense by the ZUR-23-2SP firing units.
