On 7 September, on the first day of the 29th International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed several agreements regarding the modernisation of the Polish Armed Forces. One of them is the framework agreement with the PGZ-NAREW Consortium for the purchase of 23 short-range air defense missile sets (ZROP-KZ) codenamed NAREW. The contracts were signed in the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda.
On the first day of the 29th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, the Minister of National Defense signed several agreements for the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces. Photo: Ministry of National Defence
As the head of the Ministry of National Defence pointed out, the contract signed, the value of which is one of the highest in the history of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) is not only of great importance for the Polish Armed Forces, but also for the Polish defence industry.
I am very glad that PGZ undertook this mission of creating and integrating short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, which will be used by the Polish Armed Forces, which will actually complement the anti-air and anti-missile defense system, which I hope will also be an export product for the Polish Armaments Group in the future – we count on it. I hope that NAREW will become a brand of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, as well as a Polish brand, an export brand in the future – emphasised the head of the Ministry of National Defense after signing the agreement of the Armament Inspectorate with the PGZ-NAREW Consortium.
The NAREW programme is the largest and most complex modernisation development in the history of the Polish Armed Forces. In accordance with the adopted solution, it will be produced by the Polish defence industry, giving an opportunity to establish new and develop existing competences in the field of advanced weapon systems. The modernisation of the Polish Armed Forces is closely related to the domestic defense industry and is a driver for the development of innovation in this sector. The head of the Ministry of National Defense also drew attention to the contract for the delivery of the Battlefield Simulation Systems to the Polish Armed Forces.
I would like to emphasise the importance of the signed contract, thanks to which a comprehensive battlefield simulation system will be created at the training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie, but at the same time at the four remaining training ranges: at the training ground in Orzysz, in Nowa Dęba in Żagań and Wędrzyn, it will also be possible to use simulations, so as to create one large system. Thanks to this, Polish soldiers and soldiers of allied forces will be able to improve their skills” – emphasised Minister Błaszczak.
President Andrzej Duda added:
All the contracts concluded today are very important for the Polish Armed Forces. This is the implementation of the modernisation programme for 2017-2026. These processes are ongoing, but one can be sure that this equipment will find its way to Polish troops. They will be able to carry out their tasks in a better and safer way.
During the show, contracts were also signed for the supply of 11 ROSOMAK wheeled armoured personnel carriers in the RSK contamination identification variant for 524.4 million PLN, 48 medium range (39 ISZ-50) and long range (9 IDZ-50) IFF interrogators of Mark XIIA/Mode 5 standard system for 162 million PLN, an analytical laboratory for NUR-15M ODRA radars and Battlefield Simulation Systems for 570.3 million PLN (together with Saab Defense and Security).
My task as the Minister of National Defence is to create conditions for military service to take place in the best circumstances, for the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces to have appropriate modern equipment. And this is exactly what the Kielce show is for. This is the purpose of the International Defence Industry Exhibition” – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense during his visit to Kielce.
The minister recalled the latest contracts, including for the purchase of the Patriot system, M142 HIMARS missile sets, F-35A multi-role aircraft, MIECZNIK missile frigates for the Navy and the scheduled order of 250 M1A2SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks. In recent years, contracts were also concluded to equip the Army with 120 mm M120K RAK self-propelled automatic mortars and 155 mm KRAB self-propelled howitzers.
On Tuesday, the head of the Ministry of National Defence also visited an exhibition of the Polish Armed Forces, where various equipment was displayed: Leopard 2A4/2A5/2PL Main Battle Tanks, POPRAD self-propelled anti-aircraft missile sets (SPZR), ROSOMAK armoured personnel carriers and soldiers’ individual gear and equipment.
