In news overnight, the US Government has announced that Poland has requested effectors and equipment under the second phase of its Wisła Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) program.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency advised that US State Department has approved the potential sale of the package under the US$15 billion Phase 2 program. The announcement follows a US$713 million contract with the US Army (as the lead customer to the US Government) for Phase 1, awarded in March 2019 and with Northrop Grumman’s IAMD Battle Command System (IBCS) at the heart of the system.
“The Government of Poland has requested to buy phase two of a two-phase program for an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) enabled Patriot Configuration-3+ with modernised sensors and components, including 48 Patriot M903 Launch Stations; up to 644 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles; 48 Launcher Interface Network Kits (LINKs); 12 Lower Tier Air and Missile Defence Sensors (LTAMDS); and 12 Large Tactical Power Systems (LTPS) for the LTAMDS,” the DSCA document reports
The sale, should it go ahead, will also include spares, training and program support, as well as Global Positioning System PPS (SAASM) receivers.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the DSCA notification further stated.
“The proposed sale will improve Poland’s missile defence capability and contribute to Poland’s military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies.”
Prime contractors under Phase 2 will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) is a contender for Australia’s Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) program under the Commonwealth’s Project Air 6500. Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have been selected to participate in the Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP) phase (Air 6500 Phase 1) and the winner will lead the design, development and delivery of JABMS. A decision is expected before the end of the year.