On Monday, August 12, the US company Raytheon and Poland’s Huta Stalowa Wola signed a contract for the production of 48 M903 Patriot launchers in Poland. The launchers will be produced for the Polish Army as part of the second phase of the Wisła air defense program. The Polish Armed Forces are to be equipped with eight batteries of Patriot air defense systems. The production is carried out on the basis of a subcontract under the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) procedure from 2018, concluded between the US government and Raytheon, which is the manufacturer and supplier of the Patriot air defense systems that formed the basis for the Wisła air defense program. In addition, 208 PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) anti-aircraft missiles, 11 PAC-3 MSE test missiles, and other equipment and services with a potential value of $10.5 billion were to be delivered.
Sources: Polish Ministry of Defense, Militarnyi

In the first phase of the program, Poland acquired two Patriot batteries and PAC-3 MSE anti-aircraft missiles for them. The 16 launchers included in these two batteries were also manufactured in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola. The first Polish-made M903 launchers were delivered to the customer in October 2021. In May 2022, Poland launched the second phase of the Wisła program, ordering six more batteries of the Patriot air defense system. The order includes launchers, radars, and anti-aircraft missiles.
Sources: Polish Ministry of Defense, Militarnyi

ملخص الأخبار

• Contracts are planned to be signed with Polish industry for components supply for the plants in the years 2027-2029.
• In preparation for the first phase of the Wisła program, Huta Stalowa Wola has constructed a production and assembly center.
• The deal also includes the potential for the company to handle maintenance and repair of M903 Patriot launchers for current and future clients.