MSPO 2019 Rises to the challenge

On 3rd September, during the 1st day of MSPO 2019, the Minister of Defence of Poland, Mariusz Blaszczak, signed a letter of offer regarding the planned acquisition of a number of 2nd hand C-130H Hercules transport aircraft and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems.

During the 2nd day of MSPO 2019 the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa), and MBDA UK signed an agreement, which will allow for setting up a local production of Brimstone guided, anti-tank missile systems. The agreement is related to the Polish Ottokar-Brzoza modernization programme, which calls for the procurement of a series of tracked tank-destroyers.

On 5th September 2019 Military Electronic Works (WZE, Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne) and the French company Hemeria signed an agreement regarding cooperation in the field of nanosatellites.

During the 1st day of MSPO 2019 the Polish company PIT-RADWAR (a member of the PGZ holding), signed an agreement with the Armaments Inspectorate, worth 634,8 million Zloty, for delivery of 16 Bystra radar stations with logistical and training packages. Deliveries are expected to start in 2019 and run through to 2025.

PGZ and MBDA presented at MSPO a medium-range air-and-missile defence system EMADS (Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions) equipped with CAMM missiles (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile), integrated with the iLauncher and based on a Jelcz P882.D43 truck, as an offer for the Polish Narew procurement programme.

The local WB group presented a number of new variants of the renowned and battle proven Warmate loitering munition systems, including Warmate R reconnaissance UAV, Warmate TL tube-launched variant and Warmate V rotary wing UAV system.

The German Rheinmetall Defence presented in Kielce its Mission Master Protection UGV integrated with a six-tube launcher for the Warmate-TL loitering munition systems from WB Group.

During MSPO 2019 a number of PGZ subsidiaries presented their offers for the new tank-destroyer platform, which will be procured under the Ottokar-Brzoza programme. Technology demonstrators, which were presented in Kielce, were based on the chassis of the: BWP-1 vehicle, Universal Modular Tracked Platform (Uniwersalna Modułowa Platforma Gąsienicowa, UMPG) developed by the OBRUM company (Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych) and the South Korean K9 chassis which was already implemented in the Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzer system designed by the HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola).

The Military Automotive Works (Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne, WZM) presented an offer for modernization of the Leopard 2A5 main battle tank (MBT) as well as the upgrade of the BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicle and BWR-1D reconnaissance vehicle.

The proposed options for modernisation of Polish Army’s BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, which should enhance operational capabilities of Army’s mechanized units, are described as an interim solution, before the introduction into service of the new, swimming, tracked IFV platform, expected to take place in the 2020’.

HSW presented in Kielce a prototype of the next generation Borsuk IFV fitted with a remote-controlled turret system ZSSW 30 from WB Electronics (a member of the WB Group), which in the future will also be integrated with the currently operated Rosomak/Patria AMV wheeled armoured vehicles. The prototype of Borsuk already went through a series of static and dynamic trials. The platform will be offered in a number of variants, depending on the selected level of armour protection.

The Concept company form Bielsko-Biała presented its LMPV II light, multipurpose vehicle, designed as a successor of the widely operated, but highly criticised Honker 4×4 tactical vehicle. LMPV II is capable to transport of up to 7 light infantry soldiers and additional equipment.

A consortium of PGZ subsidiaries, along with the Air Force Institute of Technology (Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych, ITWL) and Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems presented an offer for modernisation of Polish Mi-24D/W attack helicopters.

An Italian Leonardo company and PGZ showcased a concept for modernisation of the W-3 multipurpose helicopter, called W-3 Next Generation. According to the WSK PZL-Świdnik, a subsidiary of Leonardo, this variant will be a part of an offer presented for the Polish Army.

The American Boeing presented during MSPO 2019 its AH-64D Apache attack and CH-47F Chinook utility/multipurpose helicopters, which are being offered for Poland as part of the country’s rotary-wing modernisation programmes.

The Lukasiewicz – PIAP Institute presented at MSPO 2019 a technology demonstrator of the ASBOP–PERKUN mobile air defense combat system developed in partnership with the Telesystem-Mesko company. The system is composed of the six-wheeled chassis of the Lukasiewicz – PIAP Institute’s IBIS robot fitted with a launcher for two Grom/Piorun air defence missiles designed by Mesko.

The PCO company presented at its stand a number of components of the Titan future soldier system. Most of them were showcased for the first time. Qualification trials of the entire Titan system are expected to conclude by 30th June 2020. Subsequently, its results should be accepted by the head of the Armaments Inspectorate, which will allow for the signing of a procurement contract. Some components of the system, like the MSBS/Grot assault rifles, are already in operational service with the Polish Armed Forces.

Griffin Group Defence showcased a wide range of weapon systems and auxiliary equipment from a group of its industry partners, such as General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), with its 100 meters long Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) system and Eagle V 4×4 armoured tactical vehicle, Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) showing a family of RGW 90 long range multi-purpose weapon systems, as well as the British James Fisher and Sons, which presented its NATO Submarine Rescue System.