Polish Launchers for Patriots Ordered!

The contract, signed between Raytheon Poland and Huta Stalowa Wola S.A., outlines the terms for the production and delivery of 48 anti-aircraft and anti-missile launchers. This is a subcontract – the Polish company will manufacture the launchers for the American corporation, which will then integrate them into the overall system and deliver them between 2027 and 2029.

During the contract signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the importance of this investment for Poland’s security, saying, “We are starting the Polish Armed Forces Week, which will culminate in a parade. A parade of strength and unity. This week will also be filled with events important for Poland’s security. The economy and armed forces must go together. Today in Sochaczew, we are beginning the signing of major contracts to modernize our military.”

The Minister of National Defense also highlighted the significance of cooperation with the United States, stating, “Today, Poland is among the countries in Europe with the greatest trust from the United States. This is evidenced by the transfer of the latest technologies to us. Poland was the first and only country to receive the IBCS system.”

This contract is a follow-up to the government-to-government (FMS) agreement for the second phase of the Wisła program, which includes 48 M903 launchers along with several hundred PAC-3 MSE missiles, signed in September 2023. Based on this agreement, the U.S. government, in accordance with FMS procedures, commissions the execution.

For the second phase of the Wisła programme, Poland also acquired LTAMDS radars (also in September 2023) and the IBCS battle management system (in February 2024, IBCS will also be used in over 20 Narew system batteries). The total value of the signed contracts exceeds $11 billion, with more than $9 billion allocated for launchers, missiles, and LTAMDS radars.

In the production process, Huta Stalowa Wola will utilize the competencies gained in the first phase of the Wisła program, both through offsets and business cooperation (B2B). The key subcontractors for HSW S.A. in the contract’s execution include Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów S.A., providing actuators for the launchers, and Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne S.A., responsible for supplying the Data Link Terminal Module. Already in the first phase, companies within the PGZ-Wisła consortium produced a range of other components for the Patriot systems, including technical support containers, transport and loading vehicles, launcher components, missile components, and radar systems.

In conclusion, Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the long-term strategy of building air defences, stating, “Air defence is something we need to build over many years. I thank everyone who was and is involved in this process. Safety comes first as an unprecedented and always priority matter.”

Collaboration: Jakub Palowski