Mil News Polish Armed Forces News

[BravoZulu]

Lockheed Martin has inked an agreement with the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) to deliver MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems for three Polish Navy frigates.

The deal also includes the purchase of Extensible Launch System modules for the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile family of weapons.

Equipment received from the Direct Commercial Sale will be fitted onto Poland’s upcoming MIECZNIK-class frigates, which are expected to enter service by 2029.

The missiles are pre-loaded into "canisters", which are then loaded into the individual "cells" of the launcher. The ESSM is loaded in a quad-pack with 4 missiles in one Mk 25 canister, older types of 8 cell modules are not able to use ESSM.[2][8] Lockheed Martin has developed the Host Extensible Launching System (ExLS), an adapter for Mark 41 and Mark 57 vertical launching systems that was designed to allow for easier integration of new or existing weapon systems such as Nulka, RAM Block 2, CAMM and CAMM-ER, and the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) in a quad-packed configuration. Some munitions under development such as CAMM-MR are planned to be dual-packed (likely with ExLS) with two missiles sharing a single canister enabling larger and longer range munitions to be carried in greater quantity.

 

[Conhoon]

The Armament Agency signed a framework agreement with AMZ-Kutno for the delivery of 286 Light Armored Reconnaissance Transporters (LOTR) Bóbr-3 as part of the program codenamed Kleszcz. Under it, executive contracts will be signed for the supply of 286 LOTR Kleszcz in the years 2025-2035. The first of them will be signed later this year. Bóbr-3 will be the successor to the BRDM-2 armored cars and their modernized versions in reconnaissance units of the Polish Army.The vehicle on a 4×4 wheeled platform will become part of the equipment of reconnaissance units of the Land Forces, while ensuring an appropriate level of protection for the crew, intended for reconnaissance tasks.Bóbr-3 is equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 7,200 cm3 and a power of 240 kW in a power pack system with EURO 3 fuel consumption standard, automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and independent suspension. The vehicle is 6.9 m long, 2.38 m high and 2.5 m wide. The ground clearance is 400 mm, the weight ranges from 12 to 14 t (depending on the armor version, the permissible total weight is 15.6 t), and the range is 600 km. The maximum speed when moving on paved roads is 90 km/h with a range of 600 km, while the swimming speed is 7 km/h.

In the basic version, Bóbr-3 provides ballistic protection at levels 2 and 3 according to STANAG 4569, and in terms of mine resistance at level 2A. Additional armor panels will increase the protection to level 3. The vehicle's structure is modular. It allows you to transport a reconnaissance team of five soldiers. It is equipped with side doors for each space located near the vehicle's wall, as well as three escape hatches, which enable efficient and safe evacuation of the crew from the vehicle, both in the case of tactical operations and technical evacuation. The vehicle enables the transport of the crew along with personal and reconnaissance equipment, as well as fire support using on-board weapons, combating lightly armored vehicles, low-flying air targets and enemy manpower.The essential elements of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Carrier include: systems: reconnaissance - equipped with a tactical battlefield reconnaissance radar and an optoelectronic head, communications - ensuring simultaneous communication between LOTR vehicles, helicopters and those superior to the battalion level, weapons (remotely controlled weapon system) - equipped with 12-cal. WKM-B machine guns, 7 mm and 7.62 mm UKM, filter ventilation, air conditioning and detection and protection against weapons of mass destruction, as well as a laser beam protection system coupled with a smoke grenade launcher.LOTR Kleszcz is also to be the base vehicle for the chemical, biological and radioactive contamination reconnaissance transporter (TRSK).

(My God, he is so big and nasty. I think the Russians will say: большая цель)

 

[Conhoon]

On Monday, March 4, during the visit to Poland of Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson, the Armament Agency - State Treasury, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense, signed an agreement with the Swedish company Saab Defense and Security for the supply of several thousand 84-mm Carl-Gustaf recoilless anti-tank grenade launchers M4 (CGM4) along with several hundred thousand rounds of ammunition for them.

 

[Conhoon]

Today, the first of two Saab 340 AEW early warning aircraft purchased in Sweden arrived in Poland. The aircraft landed at the 43rd Oksywska Naval Aviation Base in Gdynia. In July last year, as part of an urgent operational need, the Armament Agency concluded a contract with Swedish Saab for the delivery of two Saab 340 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft with the ASC-890 Erieye radar. In addition to the purchase of two aircraft, the contract also covers ground equipment and logistics and training support for Polish personnel. For Polish needs, used aircrafts were acquired, manufactured in 1997–1999 as part of a series of six planes ordered by the Swedish Air Force. In the following years, the planes were gradually modernized, including: by installing additional operator consoles, the Thomson-CSF electronic recognition system and a data exchange link in the Link-16 standard.

 

[Conhoon]

On Monday, March 11, the Armament Agency announced on social media that a ship carrying K2 Heuk-Pyo (Black Panther) tanks had entered the port in Gdynia, which will join the tanks delivered by the Korean side in 2022-2023. More tanks will arrive this month.

 

[BravoZulu]

The United States Department of State has greenlit a trio of potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) packages to Poland, significantly bolstering the nation’s air defence capabilities.

The most substantial proposed sale involves the AGM-158B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile with Extended Range (JASSM-ER). With an estimated cost of $1.77 billion, this package could see Poland acquire up to 821 of these advanced air-launched cruise missiles. JASSM-ERs offer Polish warplanes the ability to engage hostile ground targets from extended ranges, enhancing their ability to project power and address potential future threats. This acquisition further strengthens interoperability between Polish Air Force assets and those of the United States and other NATO allies.

Another significant sale focuses on the AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). This $1.69 billion package encompasses up to 745 AMRAAM missiles, 16 guidance sections, and 50 launchers. Equipping the Polish Air Force with these modern beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles bolsters their capacity to counter aerial adversaries. The incorporation of AMRAAMs fosters a higher degree of standardization and interoperability with U.S. and NATO air defence systems.

The third proposed FMS package, valued at $219.1 million, involves the procurement of 232 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and 16 associated guidance units. These heat-seeking, short-range missiles bolster Poland’s air defense capabilities against close-in aerial threats. The additional Sidewinders allow Poland to address current and evolving operational needs, further solidifying their air defense posture.

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/ma...t-air-surface-standoff-missile-extended-range

 

[Conhoon]

In March 2024, Hyundai Rotem delivered a total of 18 K2 tanks to the Polish Armed Forces, further deliveries of M1 and K2 tanks are also expected this year, the equipment situation in the Polish Land Forces is gradually improving, and the average age of the equipment is decreasing.

Currently, the following types of tanks are in service in the Land Forces:
69 M1A1FEP;
46 K2 ;
62 Leopard 2PL;
105 Leopard 2A5;
66 Leopard 2A4;
approx. 172 PT-91 "Twardy"; a
pprox. 111 T-72M1 and M1R.
By the end of 2024, 47 M1A1FEP tanks and 38 K2 tanks are to be delivered. The introduction of these tanks into service will increase the number of modern 3rd generation tanks in the Polish Army to 433 vehicles. This will enable further T-72M1s to be withdrawn from the line.

According to long-term plans, the first stage is to purchase licenses and produce K2PL tanks, complete withdrawal of T72/PT91 family tanks and modernization of all Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Leopard 2PL standard.

In the second stage, it is planned to modernize all M1A1FEP tanks to the M1A2SEPv3 standard (250 M1A2SEPv3 tanks have already been purchased, deliveries of which will begin in 2025) and the target is to achieve a situation in which only tanks of two types (M1A2SEPv3 and K2PL) will be in the line. Of course, these are only current assumptions that may change for political or financial reasons.

 

[Conhoon]

At the beginning of April, the first F-35 intended for the Polish Air Force, marked with the registration number AZ-01, was lifted from the electronic assembly station using an overhead crane. The front and rear sections of the fuselage were connected there to the central section through which the aircraft wing passes. The airframe will now proceed to the final assembly phase, during which the control surfaces and other systems will be installed and the engine will be installed. The first plane will be delivered to the Polish Air Force later this year. The machine will initially be stationed at the Ebbing Air National Guard base in Arkansas, where training of Polish pilots will take place.Poland will receive 32 F-35A aircraft with Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) equipment and the Block 4 standard. TR-3 represents the currently most advanced production variant of the F-35, although it is already known that the full capabilities planned for the Block 4 standard will only be achieved by the aircraft after 2028. In Poland, the planes have already received the official designation as F-35 Husarz (Hussar)

 

[Conhoon]

As part of the last delivery, the fourth Bayraktar TB2 UAV set was delivered to the Polish Armed Forces in May 2024, which includes, among others: 6 unmanned aerial vehicles with 3 ground control stations, as well as, among others, EO/IR sensors, weapons and spare parts.

The first three sets were received by the Polish Armed Forces in October 2022, April 2023 and October 2023. Training was carried out for the first instructors and users of the system from the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base in Mirosławiec and the Engineering and Aviation Training Center in Dęblin. Bayraktar TB2 took part in an exercise in one of the episodes of the Anakonda 23 exercise in Ustka.

The deliveries of the Bayraktar TB2 system are the result of the agreement of May 24, 2021, concluded between the then Armament Inspectorate (currently the Armament Agency) and Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret, according to which 4 Bayraktar TB2 UAV sets were delivered along with ground control stations and SAR radars (Leonardo Osprey 30). with AESA active electronic scanning antennas), simulators, as well as training and logistics packages and spare parts.

 

[BravoZulu]

Poland’s Ministry of National Defence announced it has signed a deal to buy four aerostat-based early warning radar systems from the United States under a deal worth almost $1 billion.

“Poland will be the second country in the world to use such a system,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said at a press conference today, as quoted in a statement released by his ministry. “These aerostats will be financed by a loan provided by the United States.”

The U.S. Army uses aerostats under its Persistent Surveillance System – Tethered program, according the service’s website.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/eur...-1-billion-on-us-made-surveillance-aerostats/

 

[Conhoon]

On June 11, the Armament Agency announced that the 43rd Naval Aviation Base in Gdynia already has a second Saab 340AEW early warning and command aircraft purchased in July 2023.

 

[Conhoon]

During the Eurosatory 2024 defense industry exhibition in Paris, the Borsuk Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle will have its international premiere. The exhibition starting on June 17 this year.

 

[Conhoon]

At the Remontowa Shipbuilding shipyard in Gdańsk, the christening and launching of the minehunter 258/4 of the Kormoran II project took place.
It was named Jaskółka.

 

[Conhoon]

The final shipment of M1A1FEP Abrams tanks, consisting of 47 tanks, has arrived in Poland.
These will join the 69 units previously delivered in three batches.

 

[Conhoon]

Soldiers from the 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade received several dozen mine-resistant M-ATV vehicles obtained from US surpluses. The process of adapting them to the requirements of the Polish Army began.

The vehicles delivered to the unit come from a pool of 79 vehicles that Poland acquired under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) procedure. Their selection was carried out in October last year at the Red River Army Depot in Texas. Work aimed at adapting the mentioned M-ATVs in the M1240A1 version to the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces will be carried out by the forces of the 1st and 10th Logistics Brigades. The purpose of these vehicles is primarily to strengthen the Polish military contingent in Kosovo.

 

[av405]

Soldiers from the 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade received several dozen mine-resistant M-ATV vehicles obtained from US surpluses. The process of adapting them to the requirements of the Polish Army began.

View attachment 486336View attachment 486337View attachment 486338

The vehicles delivered to the unit come from a pool of 79 vehicles that Poland acquired under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) procedure. Their selection was carried out in October last year at the Red River Army Depot in Texas. Work aimed at adapting the mentioned M-ATVs in the M1240A1 version to the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces will be carried out by the forces of the 1st and 10th Logistics Brigades. The purpose of these vehicles is primarily to strengthen the Polish military contingent in Kosovo.

What are your thoughts on this acquisition? On one hand, it's yet another vehicle type inducted into the Polish Army, especially in such limited numbers. On the other hand, I suppose the intended purpose of using it in Kosovo makes sense as it's a small fleet used for a specific deployment/mission.

 

[Conhoon]

What are your thoughts on this acquisition? On one hand, it's yet another vehicle type inducted into the Polish Army, especially in such limited numbers. On the other hand, I suppose the intended purpose of using it in Kosovo makes sense as it's a small fleet used for a specific deployment/mission.

In my opinion, this is a better solution than increasing the fleet of MRAP Cougars that are already in use in the Polish Army, especially since about 50 M-ATV vehicles are used in Special Forces. For the needs of foreign missions, it also makes more sense than sending wheeled IFV "Rosomak", which has specialized equipment. However, ultimately they should be replaced by KLTV "Legwan", the production of which should go to Poland, and the M-ATV and MRAP Cougar should then be placed in sappers' units. I would also like to add that currently the KFOR mission mainly uses unarmored vehicles, so this is a valuable increase in the safety of soldiers.

 

[av405]

In my opinion, this is a better solution than increasing the fleet of MRAP Cougars that are already in use in the Polish Army, especially since about 50 M-ATV vehicles are used in Special Forces. For the needs of foreign missions, it also makes more sense than sending wheeled IFV "Rosomak", which has specialized equipment. However, ultimately they should be replaced by KLTV "Legwan", the production of which should go to Poland, and the M-ATV and MRAP Cougar should then be placed in sappers' units. I would also like to add that currently the KFOR mission mainly uses unarmored vehicles, so this is a valuable increase in the safety of soldiers.

Thank you.

 

[Conhoon]

Negotiations related to the purchase of the first 159 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles will begin in early August. This means the purchase of IFVs for two mechanized infantry battalions (twice 58 IFVs) plus vehicles for training units.

 

[Conhoon]

The Polish Ministry of National Defense signed a contract with the American government for the supply of 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters along with a logistics and training package as well as a supply of ammunition and spare parts. Poland will thus become the second largest user of these helicopters in the world, after the United States. Deliveries of the helicopters are to be completed in 2032, and they will be deployed in 3 bases - in Inowrocław, Malbork and Świdnik.