Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced that Poland will receive a further six sets of Patriot missile systems as part of the country’s efforts to boost its air defense program. On a post on Twitter, he indicated that the letter of request for offers on launchers, radars and a reserve of rockets has now been signed.
Poland chose the Patriot system as the foundation of its air defense system in the spring of 2015. In April 2018, Poland signed a contract for two sets of the Patriot missile system totaling 16 rocket launchers at the cost of $4.75 billion. They were to be integrated into a new system for battle management for U.S. ground forces.
The delivery of the sets of Patriots are envisaged by the end of the year and are to be fully operational a year later. In February, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Polish defense ministry confirmed that there would be more purchases likely.
Błaszczak also confirmed that the Polish defense ministry would soon receive offers with regard to the rocket artillery system HIMARS, which has a range of 300 kilometers.
Poland’s defense chief assured that Poland would be supplying assistance to Ukraine with its artillery, but refused to go on the record with specific details.
He signaled Poland’s determination to see Ukraine remain a free country.
“We are strengthening Ukraine to help our own security. Ukrainians, by defending their own independence, are defending European and Polish freedom. For us to be secure, we need to have a southeastern border with Ukraine and not Russia,” he concluded.
