U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries have been integrated into Poland’s Wisla (Vistula) multi-layer anti-missile and anti-aircraft system for tests, the country’s defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak has confirmed.
In 2018, Minister Błaszczak signed a deal with the U.S. for the first part of the Patriot system for Poland, the first part of the Wisła system to be integrated with Pilica and Narew systems.
“Polish PATRIOTS are already being integrated, as we are commencing works that are to result in the creation of a multi-layer air-defense system. After 4 years of work, today marks the finish of our efforts… Everyone can see the launchers, radars, and the entire system with their own eyes. IBCS battlefield control system, which remains hidden, guarantees network-centricity. The middle layer is PATRIOT, the lower is NAREW, and the lowest is PIORUN sets supplemented with the PILICA artillery set. All these activities come down to achieving one basic goal - ensuring safety over the Polish skies,” Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said during his visit to Toruń.
The adoption and implementation of the WISŁA system in the Polish Armed Forces are conducted under the SICO (System Integration Checkout) procedure. As part of SICO, all delivered elements will be checked, i.e. AN / MPQ-65 radars, EPP field power plants, ECS / RIU (Engagment Control Station / Radar Interface Unit) cabins, M903A2 launchers, and PAC-3MSE missiles, launch containers for training missiles, cryptographic equipment, special CSS 8x8 tractor units, transporters special TS EPP (Electrical Power Plan), TS LRPT (Large Repair Parts Transporter) and GMT transport and loading vehicles, command posts S-280 or IFCN radio lines.
Błaszczak added that the Polish army will get the full image of the battlefield and a unique security once both Wisla and F-35 jets enter service.