Expert: US-controlled air and missile defence system formed in Poland
Military expert and senior researcher at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Stepanov said that a US-controlled air defence and missile defence system is being formed on Polish territory, TASS reports
It is noted that in late February, the Polish Defence Ministry announced its intention to purchase an integrated air and missile defence battle command system IBCS from the US. The American equipment – costing $2.53bn – will be used for Poland’s Narew and Wisla air and missile defence. The implementation of the agreement is scheduled for 2024-2031.
According to Alexander Stepanov, the deal leaves control of the IBCS system in the hands of its developer – Northrop Grumman – one of the leading suppliers to the Pentagon. According to him, in this way, a single US-controlled air and missile defence system is being formed on the territory of Poland. The expert clarified that after acquiring combat control components, Polish air defence batteries will be able to operate within a single integrated system.
Stepanov added that Poland intends to use this system to control its 12 Patriot air defence missile batteries. They are the main part of the emerging Wisla missile defence line and are consolidated into six fire units in the Polish air defence. In total, as part of the Wisla programme, Poland intends to purchase 8 Patriot air defence missile batteries from the US.
