Poland invites defence manufacturers to propose medium-range anti-aircraft anti-missile systems

Posted On
a

Defence & Security News - Poland
i
 
 
Sunday, June 9, 2013 10:44 AM
 
Poland invites defence manufacturers to propose medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems
The Polish Ministry of Defense is aiming to purchase medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, the ministry’s Armament Inspectorate said in a statement. The procurement is part of Poland’s plans to overhaul its missile defense system from 2014 to 2023. The ministry invited interested manufacturers to participate in a dialogue through which they will be provided more detailed information on the technical and strategic requirements of the procurement. The deadline for applications is June 21, the statement said.
     
The Polish Ministry of Defense is aiming to purchase medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, the ministry’s Armament Inspectorate said in a statement. The procurement is part of Poland’s plans to overhaul its missile defense system from 2014 to 2023.
U.S. Soldiers from U.S. Army Europes Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, familiarize members of the Polish military with preventive maintenance for Patriot missile systems in Morag, Poland, June 2, 2010.
     

In addition to middle-range systems, the Polish ministry is planning to acquire short-range missiles. Under the plan, deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.

Poland’s National Security Bureau estimates that acquisition of a new missile defense system could be worth between 8 billion zloty and 12 billion zloty (US $2.5 billion to $3.75 billion).

In April, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski signed a bill on modernizing and financing the Polish Armed Forces that secured a separate stream of funding to overhaul its missile defense system. According to the bill, the funds will be set aside from the country’s defense budget from 2014 to 2023.

In May 2010, dozens of American soldiers and a battery of Patriot missiles were deployed in Poland to train Polish soldiers on the use of Patriot air defense missile system. The training marked the first time a U.S. missile system was sent to Poland for a new rotational training program intended to familiarize Polish armed forces on the Patriot missile system. The training was designed to provide mutual benefits for improving Polish air defense capabilities while developing the skills of U.S. Patriot crew members.

The Patriot garrison was a Polish condition for a 2008 deal with Washington to host a long-range missile defence base meant to protect the U.S. and Europe from feared Iranian attacks. That plan, developed and negotiated by the Bush administration, angered Russia and was later reconfigured by President Barack Obama.

In the reconfigured missile defence plan, Poland is still expected to host a missile defence base, but not until about 2018 and one on a smaller scale than that envisioned by George W. Bush.