Armed Forces
Poland is Looking For Technical Support for the ZSU-23-4MP Anti Aircraft Systems
The Polish Army is looking for a contractor who would offer a technical support bundle for the ZSU-23-4MP Biała anti aircraft systems, within the period between 2015 and 2017. The procedure has been initiated as a limited tender, and it is being realized by the 3rd Regional Logistics Base, located in Cracow. Offers may be placed until 23rd February, however, most probably only a single bidder will be able to meet the requirements.
One of the key conditions is to be in possession of all the required technical documentation. Alternatively, the potential bidder should have had realized, within the recent period, at least one service related to the support of the Biała systems, with a value of at least PLN 100 000. It is hard to expect that any other facility than the Tarnów Mechanical Works [Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów], which conducted the modernization of Polish ZSU-23-4s to the “Biała” standard would be able to meet the conditions required within the tender.
The aim of the potentially signed agreement is to render, within the period between 1st May 2015 and 30th November 2017, services within the scope, among other fields, repairs, modifications, monitoring, software services and internet support. According to the Agreement, servicing and maintenance of the IFF system and Rega command automation terminals is not a part of the deal.
Back in July 2014 ZM Tarnów, as the only subject which placed an offer, was accepted as a company which would render technical support services for the Biała anti aircraft systems for 6 subsequent months. Value of the deal has been estimated at the level of PLN 1 million. The Polish Army currently operates ca. 30 Biała vehicles, which are basically modernized post-Soviet ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft artillery systems. The modernization works have been completed by ZM Tarnów as well.
Initially it has been planned to modernize 70 examples of the systems, which were to constitute a cheaper alternative for the Loara system. ZSU-23-4MP Biała, contrary to its prerequisite, does not have its own radar. Instead, it was fitted with a modern opto-electronic targeting system, 4 Grom missile launchers and other modifications. It has been officially introduced into service back in 2005, and the works were conducted by ZM Tarnów.