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.

Subsequently, contracts are to be signed with Polish industry for the supply of components for these plants in 2027-2029.

The Polish Armed Forces are to be equipped with eight batteries of Patriot air defense systems.

In preparation for fulfilling its obligations under the first phase of the Wisła program, Huta Stalowa Wola built a production and assembly center.

The company can also take over the maintenance and repair of M903 Patriot launchers for current and future customers.

Patriot air defense systems in Poland

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.

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 November 2017, the U.S. Department of State approved the potential sale of four batteries of Patriot air defense systems to Poland.

The systems are made in the PAC-3+ configuration with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IAMD IBCS).

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.

In May 2022, Poland launched the second phase of the Wisła program. The country has ordered six more batteries of the Patriot air defense system. The order includes launchers, radars and anti-aircraft missiles.