The State Department approved a potential foreign military sale of 48 Patriot M930 launchers and 644 PAC 3 missiles on June 28 as part of a $15 billion deal for an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Combat Command System (IAMD) (IBCS).
Between Poland’s recent $1.9 billion purchase of the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) and 22 PILICA+ air defense batteries from MBDA, and the potential $15 billion purchase of 48 Patriots from Raytheon and Lockheed MartinPoland will have one of the most comprehensive air defense systems in Europe.
The news comes on the same day that Northrop Grumman announced the delivery of one IBCS training program for Polish troopstwo years ahead of schedule.
48 Patriot systems provide a tremendous capability
If Poland retains the 5 Patriot batteries it currently hosts from the US and Germany, the addition of 48 Patriot launchers to the next-generation Polish WISŁA air and missile defense program, enough for 8 batteries, will give the country a total of 13 batteries, more than any other NATO partner except the US.
Until recently, Poland’s primary air defense systems included an extensive very short-range defense consisting of hundreds of Soviet-era anti-aircraft guns and missile systems, as well as domestically produced MANPADS. It was also the only country in the region with a medium-range air defense system, in the form of a single battery of the Soviet-made S-200 Vega.
The Patriot Long Range Air Defense System is an all-altitude, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. The missile has a range of 70 km and a maximum height of more than 24 km. The minimum flight time is less than nine seconds while the maximum is three and a half minutes.
The new PAC-3 missile has increased effectiveness against conventional ballistic missiles and cruise missiles through the use of advanced hit-to-kill technology. The missile guidance system enables target destruction through the kinetic energy released by hitting the target head-on. 16 PAC-3 missiles can be loaded into a launcher, compared to four PAC-2 missiles.
The development of Polish air defense
The modernization of air defense systems in Europe was galvanized by Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Poland is one of ten countries participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), led by Germany, which uses collective markets to reduce procurement costs.
However, Poland’s external involvement with CAMM and the Patriot system is expected to slow ESSI activity, according to the Center for Eastern Studies (OSW).
During the war in Ukraine, Poland, which shares a border with the besieged country, has been one of the most generous donors in the region, providing significant military, humanitarian and financial aid.
Read the original at Defence247.gr
