Poland’s arms procurement agency has made significant strides in enhancing its defense capabilities by securing a 2-billion Polish złoty ($550-million) contract with local defense firm Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1. This contract will provide mobile communication nodes essential for Phase II of the Wisła air and missile defense program.
The communication nodes are crucial to the multi-layered air defense system, ensuring secure, interference-resistant, and encrypted communications both at tactical and operational levels. Under the terms of the agreement, the deal includes 56 communication nodes along with comprehensive logistics and training support. Deliveries are scheduled to begin between 2027 and 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz heralded the contract as a significant achievement for the Polish defense industry, particularly in collaboration with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa. He emphasized the critical importance of developing a robust multi-layered air defense system, highlighting that it will serve as both an anti-drone and anti-missile shield for Poland.
The Wisła program, which initially commenced in 2018, marked its first phase with the acquisition of two Patriot batteries equipped with PAC-3 MSE interceptors and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). This initial phase was designed to detect and neutralize a range of medium-range threats, including cruise missiles and both manned and unmanned aircraft, ensuring full interoperability with US and NATO military systems. By December 2024, Phase I achieved initial operational capability.
The recently signed Phase II contract aims to further bolster Poland’s air defense capabilities by incorporating six additional Patriot batteries integrated with the IBCS command system. A notable enhancement in this phase is the integration of the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, intended to replace the existing radar systems on the Patriot batteries.
The new radar, powered by Gallium Nitride technology, features an active electronically scanned array that provides 360-degree tracking capabilities, a significant improvement over the existing systems. This advanced sensor is specifically designed to counter modern threats, including advanced ballistic and hypersonic projectiles. Low-rate initial production of this radar is geared to commence in early 2025, with full-scale production anticipated by 2028, positioning Poland to enhance its defensive posture in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
