Poland has officially launched WISLA new national air defense program.

According a statement published on March 29, 2018 on the Polish Ministry of Defense website, Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defense of Poland has signed contract with the Polish Company PIT-RADWAR S.A. to launch the first stage of the "WISŁA" country's Air Defense system program. The first phase of the program concerns the acquisition of two PATRIOT batteries in the 3+ configuration with the IBCS system.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki makes a speech during the official signature ceremony for the "WISŁA" new Polish air defense system at the Polish factory of PIT-RADWAR S.A, March 28, 2018. (Source picture Polish MoD)

The "WISŁA" system will be one of the main components of the country's Air Defense system. Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed a contract for anti-aircraft and anti-missile medium-range missile system "WISŁA - 1 Phase" on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 in Warsaw in the PIT-RADWAR S.A. The ceremony was attended by Andrzej Duda, the President of the Republic of Poland and superior of the Armed Forces and by Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister and also by Paul W. Jones, US ambassador to Poland.

The first phase of the program concerns the acquisition of two PATRIOT batteries in the 3+ configuration with the IBCS system. - It is indeed a very important event in the history of our country, it is the highest arms contract in our history. It is a contract thanks to which modern technologies will also come to Poland, based on the negotiated offset, but also on the basis of the polonization of the elements of this system. Polish companies will produce launchers, will produce transport vehicles, they will also produce communication systems - Minister Mariusz Błaszczak emphasized the role of the offset and the participation of the Polish defense industry in the implementation of the contract.

"This unusual, historic moment is the introduction of the Polish army and the Republic of Poland into a whole new world of state-of-the-art technology, modern weaponry and defense measures.", said Polish President Andrzej Duda. "This is the most modern weapon, which will also be partly manufactured here in Poland and will be integrated with American systems", Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, added.

Poland will pay 4 billion 750 million dollars for the PATRIOT system together with the battlefield management system. - It's a good price. We will proceed immediately to the second phase of negotiations - the Minister said. The contract for the elements of the "WISŁA" system is a huge achievement of Polish negotiators. The initial price we have been offered is $10.5 billion.

The IBCS / PATRIOT system, delivered to Poland will be part of the "WISŁA" program, offering to Poland a new modern air defense system. The system will monitor the airspace 24 hours a day, it will recognize the threat itself, eg a missile or enemy plane, and it will be able to neutralize it within a dozen or so seconds.

The system will also allow the Polish Armed Forces to achieve operational capability to provide shields for important facilities, administrative and economic centers, troops during combined defense operations, in a national and allied system.