PILICA+: Poland awards MBDA contract for short-range anti-aircraft missile systems

The Polish Armament Agency has signed a contract with the European arms manufacturer MBDA for the purchase of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.

The agreements were concluded on April 27, 2023, according to the MBDA website.

The contract amount is $2.4 billion. In total, Poland will acquire 22 air defence batteries. This is the largest agreement in the European part of NATO in the niche of short-range air defense systems.

The system consists of iLauncher and CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) anti-aircraft missiles.

They will be integrated into the three-tier air defense system of the Republic of Poland and will be part of the lower level system – Pilica+.

Pilica+

Pilica+ is a short range air defense (VSHORAD) system.

The Pilica+ is based on the ZUR-23-2SP Jodek anti-aircraft gun missile system. It is the Polish version of the twin ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun, integrated with two Piorun anti-aircraft missile launchers. Jodek is mounted on the Polish Jelcz 442.32 4×4 chassis.

The battery includes 6 mobile SPADs, 2 transport vehicles, 2 vehicles with ammunition, radar and command post.

A month ago, on March 29, 2023, Poland ordered 22 Bystra radars to the national manufacturer, which would be part of Pilica+ SAM.

Thus, the integration of CAMM into Pilica+ will significantly strengthen its capabilities due to the greater radius and altitude of impact.

CAMM missile

CAMM is a British anti-aircraft supersonic missile, 3.2 m long and with a diameter of 166 mm. Its weight is 99 km. The range is 25 km.

Vertical launch allows firing at targets at 360 degrees.

Poland already received such an air defense system in the fall of 2022. Although, at that time the systems entered the Mala Narew (SHORAD – Short range air defense) system. Also, the naval version of this air defense system is likely to be on a promising Polish frigate.

The Republic of Poland is building a three-tier air defense system, which will consist of a long-range air defense system Wisla (base – Patriot SAM), Narew (radius up to 40 km) and Pilica+.