Poland’s WISLA Air Defense System Achieves Full Operational Capability
Poland has confirmed the full operational capability of its WISLA air defense system, modernizing the NATO member’s capability against evolving aircraft and missile threats.
The WISLA is a medium-range missile suite combining the nation’s existing Patriot radars, launchers, and missiles into a single network.
The announcement follows a series of trials to confirm the weapon’s effectiveness and related training in mid-December.
Warsaw conducted a live-fire demonstration of the platform earlier in September, where the system targeted simulated hostiles at ranges of more than 25 kilometers (16 miles).
Poland’s Ministry of Defence invested in the next-generation arms program in 2018. Six years later, the agency verified that the suite successfully achieved initial operational capability.
The system is operated by the 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron in Sochaczew, part of the Polish Armed Forces’ 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade.
With American Technology
The WISLA is managed through the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), developed by US defense contractor Northrop Grumman.
IBCS serves as the core of the WISLA network, allowing ‘innovative, unified, and cost-effective” tracking and firing of weapons within American and NATO standards.
According to the US company, Poland’s latest milestone makes it the first NATO country to field the IBCS, a move reinforcing the alliance’s collective defense on the eastern flank.
“Poland’s declaration…showcases our ability to deliver interoperable defense solutions at scale with Poland, the US and allies,” Northrop Grumman’s Kenn Todorov stated.
“This milestone provides advanced capabilities to effectively address complex threats, made possible through our strong collaboration with Polish industry and Northrop Grumman.”
