U.S. Approves $1.2B Foreign Military Sale of Radar Recon Aerostat Systems to Poland

The United States State Department has given the green light for a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland, totaling an estimated $1.2 billion, which includes advanced Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance (ASRR) aerostat systems.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency officially delivered the required certification to Congress today.

Poland's request includes the acquisition of ASRR aerostat systems, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Radars with Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) capability, electronic sensor systems, mooring systems with powered tether and embedded fiber optics, Ground Control Systems (GCS), and various associated logistics and program support elements.

Poland intends to utilize the ASRR aerostat systems as an airborne early warning system to defend against potential regional threats, thereby augmenting its contribution to future NATO operations.

The principal contractors for this deal include Raytheon Intelligence and Space, TCOM, L.P., ELTA North America, and Avantus Federal LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ, Inc.).

In response to the approval, Poland's armament agency had submitted an inquiry to the U.S. in May 2023, expressing interest in four ASRR aerostat systems as part of a broader initiative to enhance regional surveillance capabilities. Lt. Col. Krzysztof Płatek of the Polish Armed Forces emphasized the significance of early warning aircraft and aerostat systems in monitoring airspace.

This approval marks the latest in a series of significant defense deals between the U.S. and Poland, following integrated air defense systems in September 2023, Apache helicopters in August 2023, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in February 2023.