Polish Army Set to Receive Further Poprad VSHORAD systems

The MoD emphasizes the fact that the aforesaid delivery, along with 14 systems supplied last year, would enhance the Polish air defence capabilities. Deliveries taking place between 2018 and 2021 constitute an element of the process aimed at creating a multi-layered air defence system, also involving the Polish defence industry. The agreement envisages delivery of 77 systems until 2021. The total cost associated with the agreement signed in December 2015 is defined as more than PLN 1 billion. Alongside the deliveries it also covers a training package covering the domains of use, maintenance and overhauls of the products delivered.

The first systems have been received by the land forces’ air defence elements and training units in mid-2018. Back then, Brig. general Stefan Mordacz, Head of the Management of Air and Missile Defence at the Inspectorate of the Military Branches of the Polish General Command of the Armed Forces told us that the first units equipped with Poprads have already reached the initial combat readiness status, however, further training is required to obtain full capability. The systems need to be integrated with other elements of the battlespace.

Back in June 2018 Mariusz Błaszczak said that 36 Poprad systems would be received by the military by the end of 2019. Up until now Poprad systems have already been received by the 8th Regiment based in Koszalin and subordinated to the 12th “Szczecinska” Mechanized Division and by the 4th Regiment based in Zielona Góra, subordinated to the 11th “Lubuska” Armoured Cavalry Division. After the equipment is transferred to the 15th “Gołdapski” Anti-Aircraft Regiment that is a part of the 16th “Pomorska” Mechanized Divisions Poprads would become a part of the inventory of all three divisions of the land component of the Polish military.

POPRAD is a (V)SHORAD SAM system that is destined to become a part of the lowest layer of the IA/MDS. POPRAD has been designed in order to detect, recognize and destroy airborne targets at close distances and low altitudes with the use of short range anti-aircraft missiles. The system is armed with 4 Grom or modernized Piorun VSHORAD missiles. The missiles are placed on a column mount installed within the cargo compartment of a Żubr vehicle that is extended when in combat setting.

POPRAD systems have been fitted with optronic sensors, autotracker system, IFF system and an advanced drive system for the tracking/targeting unit designed by the Polish military and allowing for a rapid and precise target interception. PIT-RADWAR is the manufacturer of Poprad. The company is a part of the PGZ Group.