Poland to boost air defences with six more Patriot batteries: minister

Poland’s defence minister has said he has taken steps to acquire six more batteries of the US Patriot anti-ballistic missile defence system for his country amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Poland has signed a letter of request to buy six more batteries of the US Patriot anti-ballistic missile defence system, officials said on Tuesday.

Twitter/Mariusz Błaszczak

Mariusz Błaszczak made the announcement at a security conference in Warsaw on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Minister Obrony Narodowej @mblaszczak: Ostatnie miesiące to czas fundamentalnych zmian dla Sił Zbrojnych RP; nowe przepisy umożliwiają zwiększenie budżetu na obronność do 3 proc. | @MON_GOV_PL #Defence24Day #D24Day pic.twitter.com/881IrjpDZf

— Defence24Day (@Defence24Day) May 24, 2022

Six more Patriot batteries for Poland

Błaszczak said: “We are launching phase two of the Vistula air defence programme - I have signed a Letter of Request for the purchase of six more batteries of the Patriot system.”

He told the Defence24 Day conference that the Patriot batteries included "radars, launchers and a supply of rockets." He added that Poland would also receive training and logistics support. 

Ruszamy z drugą fazą programu obrony powietrznej Wisła. Podpisałem zapytanie ofertowe - Letter of Request dotyczący pozyskania 6 baterii systemu Patriot wraz z radarami dookólnymi, wyrzutniami i zapasem pocisków. Chronimy polskie niebo! pic.twitter.com/KCho3gGfjH

— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) May 24, 2022

Phase one of Poland’s Vistula mid-range air defence programme was launched in 2018 and includes the delivery of two Patriot batteries this year.

Tuesday's announcement by Poland comes as the Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine enters its fourth month.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, defence24.com