On 5 September, on the opening day of the MSPO 2023 exhibition in Kielce, the Polish defence minister approved two contracts relating to the Narew short-range air defence (SHORAD) system between the PGZ-Narew consortium and the Polish Armament Agency. The contracts were the result of framework agreements signed in 2022.
The first contract covers the delivery of over 1,000 surface-to-air missiles, while the second is for 138 launchers adapted to work in conjunction with Poland’s Northrop-Grumman-supplied Integrated Battle Command Systems.
The Narew SHORAD system uses iLaunchers and CAMM-ER missiles designed and manufactured by MBDA UK – a key partner in the programme – mounted on Polish Jelcz P882.57 8×8 chassis.
Deliveries of the above-mentioned new elements of the Narew system are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2035. The total value of both contracts is about PLN 54 Bn (EUR 12.3 Bn).
Both contracts contain paragraphs about technology transfer and manufacture of both the missiles and launchers by Polish industry.
The ordered launchers will create 24 air defence batteries with 46 fire units. Every fire unit will comprise three iLaunchers with eight missile containers each.
In 2022 the Polish Armament Agency and PGZ-Narew signed contract for elements of two air defence fire units called Mała Narew (Little Narew). The first unit has already been integrated into the Polish air defence system, while the second one is currently receiving its last elements of equipment.
The Narew SHORAD system is intended to protect military bases and infrastructure and will be supplemental to the Wisła MRAD (PATRIOT) air defence system to counter targets flying at lower altitudes. The lowest Polish air defence tier, consisting of Pilica+ VSHORAD systems, is also in the process of being delivered.
The ordered elements do not complete the Narew system. Among others elements, the Polish Ministry of National Defence will also have to order radar systems, command-and-control (C2) cabins, mobile communication nodes, vehicle-mounted opto-electronic sensors and the Zenit-M Polish C2 system.
The Narew SHORAD system includes P-18PL early target designation radars and Sajna fire control radars. Both systems are developed and manufactured by Polish company PIT-Radwar.
The PGZ-Narew consortium contains 11 Polish companies: Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (leader of the consortium), Huta Stalowa Wola, Jelcz, Mesko, Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Centrum Techniki Morskiej, PCO, PIT-Radwar, Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1, Wojskowe Zakłady Uzbrojenia, Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne and Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów.
Grzegorz Sobczak
