Poland working with U.S. to produce Patriot missile systems

Poland has unveiled plans to make 48 M903 Patriot missile launchers, in a move it says will greatly strengthen its national security.

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and representatives from United States defense giant Raytheon and Polish arms maker PGZ Huta Stalowa Wola announced the deal on Monday.

The 48 missile launchers will be produced in Poland for the Polish army using technology provided by the U.S. company. The equipment will be sufficient to form at least six Patriot missile batteries, the companies said as the agreement was inked in the town of Sochaczew, at the headquarters of the 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade.

The first of the new weapons should be ready for use in 2027.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said the agreement between the nations and some of their major defense contractors was the result of "our government betting so strongly on security" and that it was a product of Poland's decision to increase defense spending to around 4 percent of GDP.

"We are investing in the Polish defense industry, in the armed forces of the republic for the security of us and our allies," the Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying. "Today's event is unprecedented in scale, taking place on Polish soil, involving Polish companies, utilizing American technology, and in collaboration with American firms and the U.S. government."

The deal was finalized after several Polish politicians, including Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, called for a greatly improved and upgraded military in the wake of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and in light of its potential to spill over into nearby European countries, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.

Reuters quoted U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski as saying the cooperation highlights the "intrinsic trust between Poland and America" and "enhances not only our ability to protect the skies above NATO territory, but also our military interoperability".

The Patriot missile system was designed to intercept missiles and drones in the air and protect cities and critical infrastructure. Brzezinski said it will play a key role along Poland's 230-kilometre border with Russia.

The 48 M903 Patriot missile launchers will be part of air defense systems in Poland worth $1.23 billion, Kosiniak-Kamysz added.

Polskie Radio said the deal to produce the missile launchers marks the start of the second phase of what is known as the Wisla program, which opens the door to additional defense contracts being signed between 2027 and 2029.

Poland and the U.S. have already worked together on other aspects of Patriot missile systems and produced a range of components, including transport and loading vehicles, technical support containers, radar systems, launcher parts, and missile components.

The latest phase will be supported by subcontractors including Zaklady Mechaniczne Tarnow and Wojskowe Zaklady Elektroniczne.