Polish production plant for patriot missile parts to be built in ‘milestone agreement’
Military Aviation Works WZL1 and American company Lockheed Martin have launched the construction of a production plant in eastern Poland to produce components for missiles selected as armaments for the Polish Patriot anti-aircraft and missile system.
According to Lockheed Martin, the new plant in Dęblin is the implementation of industrial and offset agreements signed with Lockheed Martin as part of the 'Wisła' anti-air and missile programme in March last year.
The PAC-3 missile is described as “a very agile hit-to-kill interceptor.”
Around 20 Polish workers are to be employed in the new 3,000-square-metre facility next year.
WZL1 and Lockheed Martin started cooperation in 2018 under an offset agreement signed by LM with the Polish State Treasury.
The production of PAC-3 MSE launcher and missile elements and their tests in Poland were agreed in March 2019 between Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the manufacturer of missiles selected by Poland as the armament of the Patriot battery.
As part of the contract, Lockheed Martin will cooperate with WZL1 in the production and qualification of the PAC-3 MSE (Patriot Advanced Capability-3, Missile Segment Enhancement) launch container chamber.
The PAC-3 MSE missiles produced by Lockheed Martin are the main element of the future Polish air defence system.
WZL1 board member Bartłomiej Kacperczyk said the initiative was “a milestone in current and future relations with Lockheed Martin, ensuring the security of Poland in the near future.”
WZL1 board member Bartłomiej Kacperczyk said: "This programme is a milestone in current and future relations with Lockheed Martin, ensuring the security of Poland in the near future. We are open to further cooperation with Lockheed Martin also in other programmes.”
The production of PAC-3 MSE launcher and missile elements and their tests in Poland are provided for in the offset agreements signed in March 2019 between Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the manufacturer of missiles selected by Poland as the armament of the Patriot battery.
The PAC-3 MSE is capable of intercepting longer-range theatre ballistic missiles.
Lockheed Martin, which is also a producer of F-16 combat aircraft, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and HIMARS missile artillery sets selected by Poland, has been cooperating with the Polish Defence Ministry since 1997.
