Poland Sends a Request to USA, Regarding the Patriot Missiles. No Delays in Delivery?

As Defence24.pl found out, off the record, the request submitted by Poland to the US authorities is supported by the argument that Poland is the largest of the Eastern Flank NATO member states. It is also most exposed to the threat posed by Russia, given Poland’s role and position in the region, and the border adjacent to the Russian, Belorussian, and finally, Ukrainian territories - with Ukraine under Russian attack. The Polish Ministry of Defence asked the US authorities to deliver the Patriot batteries without any extra delays involved, in parallel to the delivery of military aid to Ukraine.

The request submitted by Poland is tied to decisions made by the USA to redirect the export deliveries regarding the NASAMS and Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The White House admits that the decision may have an impact on delayed deliveries to NATO Easter Flank nations, but it would not cause any delays in deliveries to Israel and Taiwan. Washington still considers a similar shift to be an option, when it comes to the deliveries of launchers and other elements of the Patriot system. This policy is to remain in force for 16 months.

Poland ordered 48 launchers, several hundred Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles, and 12 LTAMDS radars in the US last year, implementing the second phase of the Wisła programme. The cost of agreements covering the delivery of launchers and radars exceeds USD 9 billion (net). The preliminary timeline announced by the Armament Agency assumed that the above assets would be delivered between 2026 and 2029. The deliveries are scheduled to happen after the redirection policy’s term, however, the delays in the transfer of missiles to other nations that had been originally scheduled to receive missiles earlier on may potentially have an impact on the delivery schedule for Poland. And this is what the Polish Ministry of Defence wants to avoid.

Poland already owns two Patriot batteries with sector-scan radars and the IBCS system. These had been ordered in 2018, for USD 4.75 billion. Elements of the IBCS system for Phase II of the Wisła programme, and the Narew SHORAD programme, were all ordered in 2024, at a price exceeding USD 2.5 billion.