The deployment of the Patriot anti-missile system to the Polish army under the “Vistula” program is getting closer. A test of the launchers, which Poland has ordered from the US, took place today in Toruń.
The adoption and implementation of the #WISŁA (Vistula) system are conducted under the SICO (System Integration Checkout) procedure. As part of this process and teams carry out an inventory of deliveries, finally assemble military equipment, and test the system. pic.twitter.com/ZhU2TEf7be
— Poland MOD (@Poland_MOD) October 14, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister @mblaszczak: We have achieved the goal. Polish Patriots are being integrated as we proceed to build a multi-layer, based on components produced by the Polish armament industry, air defense system. pic.twitter.com/KPx4PriaDd
— Poland MOD (@Poland_MOD) October 14, 2022
President Andrzej Duda along with Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak were on site. Due to the war in Ukraine, the deployment of the system has been accelerated, which government representatives have repeatedly discussed with Washington.
The first components of the system were delivered in 2021. The M903 launchers were manufactured by Stalowa Wola Steel Mill.
“This is an unimaginably, modern solution. This is a solution that will build Poland’s security more and more strongly, up to full anti-missile and anti-aircraft security,” Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, said.
The Patriots are to be part of Poland’s Vistula medium-range air defence system. The purchase of the batteries is divided into two stages, the first launchers will be equipped with sector radars, with a field of observation of about 120 degrees. In the next tranche, it will be 360 degrees.