Poland To Acquire Middle-Range Missile Systems

Jun. 5, 2013 - By JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI – Defense News

WARSAW — The Polish Ministry of Defense is aiming to purchase middle-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, the ministry’s Armament Inspectorate said in a statement. The procurement is part of Poland’s plans to overhaul its missile defense system from 2014 to 2023.

The ministry invited interested manufacturers to participate in a dialogue through which they will be provided more detailed information on the technical and strategic requirements of the procurement. The deadline for applications is June 21, the statement said.

In addition to middle-range systems, the Polish ministry is planning to acquire short-range missiles. Under the plan, deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.

Poland’s National Security Bureau estimates that acquisition of a new missile defense system could be worth between 8 billion zloty and 12 billion zloty (US $2.5 billion to $3.75 billion).

In April, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski signed a bill on modernizing and financing the Polish Armed Forces that secured a separate stream of funding to overhaul its missile defense system. According to the bill, the funds will be set aside from the country’s defense budget from 2014 to 2023.