Armed Forces
Polish Army Looking For New Anti-Aircraft Artillery Solutions. “Programmable Ammunition Required”
The Armament Inspectorate informed that a market analysis has been started, covering the area of acquiring a new anti-aircraft artillery system for the Polish Armed Forces. According to the assumptions, the new system is going to replace the modernized 57 mm S-60 cannons that are currently being operated by the land-based Navy units.
According to the information provided by the Armament Inspectorate, the new system is to replace the 57 mm S-60 anti-aircraft cannons. The newly acquired armament shall be capable of neutralizing a wide spectrum of airborne threats and light armoured objects, on land and in a maritime setting. Moreover, the system shall also make it possible to use programmable rounds and provide a chance for carrying out operations with the use of a command and weapons control vehicle, belonging to the Polish Blenda suite, as well as independently, in a variety of weather conditions, at night and during the day.
The requests for being included in the market analysis may be submitted to the Armament Inspectorate until 26th February. Then, the Armament Inspectorate will create a feasibility study and the initial Tactical-Technical Assumptions, pertaining the weaponry.
The S-60 cannon, which is being replaced by the system to be procured, is a Soviet-made post-war weaponry which has been remaining in the Polish inventory since the late 1950s. At the moment, elements of the Polish Navy are only using the modernized S-60MB variant of the cannon. The systems that are being acquired within the scope of the “Noteć” proceedings are also going to be probably received by the Air Force, for direct protection of the anti-aircraft missile system squadrons.
BLENDA command vehicles, cooperating with the S-60MB systems, are being used by the Navy units. They are fitted with fire-control system elements, IFF (identification friend or foe) devices, binoculars and electro-optical systems, the purpose of which is to detect and track airborne targets with TV and thermal vision cameras and a laser rangefinder. The abovementioned systems have been developed by the PIT-RADWAR company. They may cooperate with the integrated air defence system, while the battery may also include MANPADS launchers, e.g. the Grom missiles.
Polish PIT-RADWAR company has also developed a remotely controlled Hydra AAA system, armed with a 35 mm cannon. Its naval counterpart, also created by the Polish Industry, referred to as TRYTON, is going to be used e.g. onboard the Kormoran II minehunters. Currently, works are being carried out, the aim of which is to develop 35 mm programmable rounds. PIT-RADWAR company presented a concept assuming that anti-aircraft units would use both Poprad, as well as the Hydra systems.