Poland's new weapon. Contract for Narew SHORAD systems signed

Under the contract, two units will be delivered in 2022-2023, each equipped with three CAMM missile launchers produced by a British branch of the MBDA group, a Soła radar, operating devices made in Poland and transport vehicles.

Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak stressed that Poland was drawing conclusions from what was happening behind its eastern border. "We can see clearly that Ukraine, attacked by Russia, defends itself bravely, but it does so because it is prepared. We can see just how important the air and anti-aircraft defence is in this process," he said.

He added that due to this reason, delivery process of the Narew short range air defense for the Polish Army was largely expedited. "I think it's the world record when it comes to expedited deliveries. That is mainly due to our excellent cooperation with our British partners, producers of the CAMM missiles and launchers which the Polish Army will receive, but also thanks to an excellent cooperation with the Polish arms industry," Błaszczak said.

The minister added that the Polish Army would have the first air defence unit at its disposal in September, and the second one at the turn of the year.

"It's an important day when it comes to weapons for the Polish Army," he said.

Błaszczak underscored that the deal signed on Thursday was "the first step on our way to enforcing and developing Polish Armed Forces".

The Narew system is meant to complement the already existing middle range (Patriot) and very short range (Poprad and Pilica) air defence systems that Poland has in its armament.

In 2021, President Andrzej Duda called the deal "the largest and most complex contract in the history of the Polish Armed Forces".