At MSPO 2022, the International defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland, MBDA announced rapid progress on the short-range air defense (SHORAD) solution for the Polish armed forces, known as "Mała NAREW". In collaboration with the local defense industry including the companies PGZ and its subsidiaries, PIT-RADWAR, JELCZ and WZU, MBDA has delivered the first two Polish iLaunchers of the CAMM air defense missile system already in Poland undergoing integration and trials ahead of delivery to the customer.

CAMM launcher unit for Polish armed forces based on Jelz truck. (Picture source MBDA)

This project aims to deliver rapidly two SHORAD-class fire units equipped with CAMM (Common Anti Air Modular Missile) missiles, integrated with SOŁA radar stations and the Polish C2 system.

The CAMM is the latest generation of air defense missile system used by both the British Army and the Royal Navy. Each CAMM family missile is equipped with an advanced active radar seeker that can see even the smallest, fastest and stealthiest targets through the worst weather and the heaviest electronic jamming. They are capable of hitting a tennis ball-sized object traveling at several times the speed of sound.

The “Mała NAREW” units are being adapted to work within one SHORAD class solution. Functional integration of the radar stations, C2 systems and CAMM missile fire control software is going hand-in-hand with the physical integration of subsequent iLauncher with JELCZ trucks chassis. The first training sessions for operators of iLauncher and Polish components of the “Mała NAREW” system has already been conducted.

Sebastian Chwałek, CEO of PGZ S.A. said: “By implementing this program, we strengthen our credibility as a strategic partner for the army, ready to provide advanced air defense systems at record pace. We treat “Mała NAREW” as a test ground before the NAREW program, showing what our capabilities are and how to cooperate with major foreign partner MBDA UK on a joint project. We believe that this relationship will translate into further successes, both for our companies and the armies that will trust us to bring their air defense into XXI century.”

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “We’re proud that the co-operation between MBDA and PGZ achieved the arrival of the first air defense hardware into Poland in an incredibly short timeframe. The successes of the “mała Narew” project are a very positive indicator for the success of PGZ-MBDA co-operation on the wider NAREW project that will include the extensive transfer of technology and knowledge to Poland on missiles and launchers.”

The “Mała NAREW” program, in addition to the fire units themselves, also includes a training and logistics package. Under the project, PGZ and MBDA are conducting integration of selected British and Polish elements of air defense systems as well as providing technical support for the ordered equipment at the operational stage. The contract provides for the delivery of the first “Mała NAREW” fire unit this year, and the second in 2023.