MBDA Signs Record Air Defense Export Deal With Poland
MBDA UK signed a contract with the Polish Armaments Agency on Friday to supply its Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) and iLaunchers for Warsaw’s PILICA+ air defence modernization program.
The £1.9 billion (~$2.39 billion) contract will see MBDA UK supply missiles and missile launchers to support the building of 22 air defense batteries under the program, with the company describing PILICA+ as the largest European short-range air defense acquisition program in NATO.
PILICA+ batteries will use radar guided CAMM missiles, short-range infrared guided missiles, and autocannon in a triple layer system, with the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) in charge of system design. PILICA+ will serve as the inner tier of the future Polish integrated air defense network, alongside the upper-tier WISLA system and mid-tier NAREW system.
The contract was signed alongside a separate 2.98 billion zloty (716 million) contract between a PGZ-led consortium and the Polish government for the procurement of PILICA+, and the upgrading of Poland’s current PILICA batteries. The Polish military currently operates four PILICA batteries with two more on order, with the original order to be upgraded to PILICA+ as well.
The CAMM-Extended Range missile variant is already in Polish service as part of NAREW, having been selected for that program in 2021. Warsaw received its first “mała NAREW” (small NAREW) battery in 2022 under an urgent requirement, with work on technology transfer, Polish manufacturing of NAREW, and joint development of future missiles continuing under a partnership between MBDA and PGZ. The CAMM family has also been selected as the air defense system of Poland’s future Miecznik-class frigates, which are based on the British Type 31 frigate design.
According to UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the contract is the largest ever UK defense export deal signed with Poland. “We are committed to supporting Poland’s defence modernisation plans and this upgraded air-defence programme will ensure that Poland and the UK have the ability to continue safeguarding our people and bolstering NATO security”, said Wallace.
The contract will support over 500 jobs at MBDA UK, with MBDA UK managing director Chris Allam saying that the “landmark” deal would bring the UK and Poland’s defense industries closer together, enabling sovereignty in addition to supporting jobs in both countries.