On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Armament Agency signed a contract worth PLN 1.4 billion gross (355 million USD) with the PGZ-Pilica+ Consortium for the delivery of logistical and training packages, as well as laboratory equipment for the Pilica+ artillery rocket system (ZRA Pilica +, occasionally also written as ZR-A).
Photo: Polish Armaments Group (PGZ)
The subject of the contract, concluded between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and the PGZ-Pilica+ Consortium, consisting of Polish Armament Group (PGZ), Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów (ZMT), PIT-Radwar, PCO, Jelcz, Mesko, Research and Development Center for Maritime Technology (CTM), Wojskowe Zakłady Uzbrojenia S.A., and Military Electronic Works, is the delivery of logistical and training packages, as well as laboratory equipment, to support the operation of twenty-one Pilica+ artillery rocket systems in the Polish Armed Forces (Eurosatory 2024: Geonyx inertial navigation for the Narew and Pilica+ programs).
Under the signed contract, the Polish Armed Forces will acquire:
- Group Sets (ZG) ensuring the capability to carry out repairs of all components of the ZRA Pilica+ using assemblies, subassemblies, and spare parts included in them. It is anticipated that these sets will constitute the “P” time stock reserve;
- Repair Sets (ZN) ensuring the capability to carry out repairs of all components of the ZRA Pilica+ using assemblies, subassemblies, and spare parts included in them. It is anticipated that these sets will constitute the “W” time stock reserve;
- Maintenance and Repair Workshops (WOR I) along with Pola-type trailers (intended for the transport of Group Sets (ZG) and Repair Sets (ZN)) designed to support the field maintenance and repair processes of ZRA Pilica+ components, such as: ZSD Zenit-MP+, ZDPSR Bystra, iLauncher, and their assemblies and subassemblies;
- Maintenance and Repair Workshops (WOR II) along with Pola-type trailers, designed to support the field maintenance and repair processes of ZRA Pilica+ components, such as PSR-A Pilica elements, its assemblies and subassemblies, as well as Jelcz vehicles;
- Transport and Loading Vehicles, under the name Ammunition Vehicles (PA2), enabling the transport and handling of up to 8 CAMM+ missiles;
- equipment for the ZRA Pilica+ Laboratory, ensuring the training process for the crews of ZRA Pilica+ components and the management staff of anti-aircraft subunits equipped with these components.
Additionally, under the contract, the PGZ-Pilica+ Consortium is obliged to develop and deliver the Detailed Design for the Ammunition Vehicle (PA2) and the ZRA Pilica+ Laboratory, as well as the technical documentation for the acquired assortment, conduct training sessions, and provide technical support.
It should also be noted that the ZRA Pilica+ components, in addition to the aforementioned repair and group sets, will have individual spare parts sets (IZCzZ) included in their equipment, acquired under the specific executive agreements concluded as part of the Pilica+ program. The deliveries of vehicles and logistical, training, and service packages will be carried out from 2024 to 2029.
On October 4, 2022, a contract was signed initiating the implementation of the Pilica+ program. The anti-aircraft artillery rocket systems will serve as the primary anti-aircraft systems for the Air Defense Forces of the Polish Air Force, primarily intended to complement the fire zones of short and medium-range air defense missile systems at low and very low altitudes, as well as to protect the Wisła systems.
The ZRA Pilica+ will include short-range iLauncher missile launchers with CAMM missiles, Bystra radars, and components of the PSR-A Pilica systems, including: a command post, a short-range radar, 6 fire units with artillery tractors, a communication subsystem, ammunition vehicles, and transport vehicles. Additionally, it will include a system designed to combat unmanned aerial vehicles.
The artillery rocket systems will be capable of conducting autonomous operations in various weather and visibility conditions using their own passive detection and tracking systems, as well as based on radar information transmitted from the battery command post.
The system configuration ensures the capability to detect, identify, and engage aerial targets using both missile and artillery fire. The rapid-fire capability of the guns and their range also allow for engaging ground and surface targets. Moreover, through the implementation of common data exchange protocols, the system enables the transmission and reception of data with other air defense systems.
Press release
https://twitter.com/AgencjaUzbr/status/1808812785146413335
https://twitter.com/PGZ_pl/status/1808808083314855998
https://twitter.com/pawelbejda/status/1808811275184386408
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1808805490450674026
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1808805707287810055
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1808806943131123945
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1808807549996540291
https://twitter.com/MON_GOV_PL/status/1808808491286495722