PATRIOT Missile Batteries to Arrive in Poland by 2022

The Polish Ministry of Defense (MoD) has commenced preparing infrastructure to receive PATRIOT missile battery from the U.S., which is expected to arrive at the end of 2022.

In March 2018, Poland signed a $4.75 billion agreement with the U.S. for two Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries. The purchase includes Northrop Grumman's IBCS Battle Command System and four fire units equipped with four AN/MPQ-65 radars, 16 launchers, four Engagement Control Stations, six Engagement Operation Centers, 12 IFCN Relays and 208 PAC-3 MSE missiles.

In the Phase II, Poland plans to order six further batteries equipped with an AESA radar and Raytheon's SkyCeptor interceptors.

“We assume that the deliveries will be made at the scheduled time - the Patriots will be delivered to our country by the end of next year. We are preparing the infrastructure, and soldiers will be trained to use these weapons. Everything is going according to plan,” said Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence during a meeting in the USA with Polish soldiers.

On 7 October, Błaszczak met with the soldiers of the 3rd Air Defence Missile Brigade, who are participating in maintenance training at Fort Sill to operate the PATRIOT system.

“I am very impressed, both with what our soldiers learn and with our soldiers' approach to their duties. The laboratories are very well equipped and Polish soldiers use the knowledge of experienced lecturers – U.S. Army soldiers who were on missions, who also operated Patriots in combat conditions. These are unique experiences that will already be passed on to Polish soldiers, which makes the Polish Army ready to defend the Republic of Poland,” the minister said.

The American Fort Sill (Oklahoma) is training Polish Army soldiers who will receive the first two Patriot batteries next year. The soldiers of the 3rd Air Defence Missile Brigade are participating in the Allied Patriot Air Defence Operator course organized at the Air Defence Artillery School concerning operation and maintenance of the PATRIOT system. This is another training group of Polish soldiers who will undergo specialist course.