Poland enhances VSHORAD capacities
POPRAD equips brigades and regiments in Poland (photo - Polish MoD Armament Inspectorate)
The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) Armament Inspectorate announced on 15 December the delivery of the last nine self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems POPRAD. The very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) solution was manufactured by PIT-Radwar S.A. and acquired in December 2015.
POPRAD was designed to operate in the lowest tier of air and missile defence and can detect, identify and combat air targets at close distances.
It features ultra-short-range MESKO Grom anti-aircraft missiles and its modernised versions Piorun. The missiles are placed on the transport compartment of the AMZ-Kutno Żubr vehicle.
In total, Poland purchased 79 POPRADs, which are spread throughout the country equipping mechanised and rifle brigades as well as anti-aircraft regiments. These systems were first handed over in 2018.
The Armament Inspectorate also reported on 16 December the delivery of six KTO Rosomak command vehicles acquired in December 2020. These platforms will equip the 16th Mechanised Division and support operations to protect the Polish-Belarusian border.
Early this year, Poland also received a batch of 25 LPU Wirus-4 light strike vehicles (LSVs) to patrol the area.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Australia’s DroneShield looks to Europe in a drive to massively increase production
DroneShield has experienced significant growth in a short period of time, more than doubling its personnel to 500 people in the space of 18 months on the back of both military and civil demand.
-
Why Middle Eastern markets demand bespoke AFV solutions
In this expert analysis, Christopher Foss looks at how armoured vehicle suppliers to the Middle East are increasingly tailoring platforms for the region’s specific operational requirements.
-
Milrem outlines plans for Havoc and Vector as Ukrainian THeMIS numbers set to double
Milrem’s THeMIS uncrewed ground vehicle is one of the most battle-proven medium UGV platforms in service, with the company looking to have production versions of new large platforms ready before the end of the decade.
-
US Precision Strike Missile makes combat debut in Operation Epic Fury
CENTCOM confirmed that PrSMs have been deployed in the offensive against Iran, bringing what it called “an unrivalled deep strike capability”.