US and Poland enhance their air defense capabilities with new US combat management system.

According to information released by the U.S. Defense Company Northrop Grumman on February 12, 2025, Northrop Grumman Corporation has secured two major contracts totaling $1.4 billion to enhance air and missile defense capabilities for both the U.S. Army and Poland. Announced on February 12, 2025, these awards reinforce Northrop Grumman’s leadership in integrated battle management solutions, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and model-based systems engineering to drive innovation in modern defense technology. 
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Northrop Grumman's IBCS Integrated Battle Command System transforms global air and missile defense by uniting sensors and weapons into a single network, delivering real-time decision-making capabilities to commanders. (Picture source: Northrop Grumann)

This investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen air defense infrastructure amid evolving global security challenges, particularly in Europe, where Poland has significantly expanded its air defense capabilities in response to heightened threats following the war in Ukraine.

Under the first contract, valued at $481 million over five years, Northrop Grumman will expand software development for the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS). Of this amount, $347.6 million is allocated to Poland’s defense programs, integrating Polish sensors and the United Kingdom’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) system. The remaining $133.7 million will support U.S. military initiatives, including the Guam Defense System. This contract will involve collaboration with AI specialists and engineers to enhance IBCS software, ensuring greater interoperability and more advanced command and control capabilities.

In a separate $899.6 million contract, Northrop Grumman will provide IBCS as the central command and control system for Poland’s WISŁA medium-range and NAREW short-range air defense programs. This agreement marks a major milestone in Poland’s long-term military modernization strategy, aligning its air defense network with NATO and U.S. forces for seamless coordination in joint operations.

The Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is revolutionizing air and missile defense by integrating sensors and weapons into a single network, enabling commanders to make faster and more informed decisions in real time. In 2024, Northrop Grumman delivered the first full set of major IBCS components to the U.S. Army, facilitating early deployment. A series of successful flight tests demonstrated the system’s ability to integrate emerging sensors and effectors, including the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), Patriot Advanced Capability–3 (PAC-3), and Integrated Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2).

Further proving its capabilities, IBCS successfully integrated with the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) system during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in December 2024. The system detected, tracked, and engaged multiple surrogate aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a cruise missile, reinforcing its ability to provide a multi-layered defense solution.

Poland’s investment in IBCS comes as part of a broader expansion of its air defense capabilities over the past five years, particularly in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. In 2018, Poland initiated its Wisła program, securing two Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries equipped with PAC-3 MSE missiles, which were delivered between 2022 and 2023. In September 2023, Poland expanded the Wisła program, signing contracts worth $9.3 billion for an additional six Patriot batteries, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2029.

In addition to the Patriot system, Poland has also enhanced its short-range air defense capabilities through its NAREW and PILICA+ programs. In April 2023, Poland signed a £1.9 billion contract with MBDA to procure Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMM) and iLaunchers for the PILICA+ system, marking NATO’s largest European short-range air defense acquisition. Further strengthening its air defense infrastructure, Poland signed a $1.23 billion contract in August 2024 with Raytheon Polska and PGZ Huta Stalowa Wola to produce 48 M903 Patriot launchers domestically, reinforcing its commitment to self-sufficiency in military production.

The war in Ukraine has accelerated Poland’s air defense modernization efforts, leading to a substantial increase in defense spending, now estimated at 4% of the country’s GDP. This investment underscores Poland’s commitment to protecting its airspace and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank against potential threats. With the integration of IBCS, Poland is taking a decisive step toward creating one of the world’s most advanced air defense networks, fully interoperable with the United States and NATO allies.

These latest contracts highlight Northrop Grumman’s pivotal role in advancing global security through cutting-edge battle management technology. By securing these agreements, Poland ensures its military remains at the forefront of modern air defense, while the United States strengthens its strategic partnerships in Europe, reinforcing collective defense efforts against emerging threats.