Poland declares Patriot air defense unit fully operational

Poland’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron of the 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade has achieved Full Operational Capability, marking the completion of the first phase of the Wisła air and missile defense program.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, reaching full operational capability by the entire 37th squadron concludes the implementation process of Wisła’s initial phase. The ministry said that in December the unit underwent evaluations focused on combat training and its ability to carry out missions in line with its operational role. During the training, combat systems related to command and engagement were tested.

The announcement was followed by public remarks from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who framed the milestone as a major step for Poland’s national security.

“Good news for Poland’s security. The 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron has achieved full operational capability,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “This is the moment when the Wisła system, the U.S.-made Patriot launchers, will serve integrated air and missile defense. It is also a great day for the soldiers from Sochaczew. Equipment alone does not fight — the most important are the soldiers and their skills. Thank you for your service, because thanks to it we are gaining a capability that we did not have before.”

In a separate statement, Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed to the next stages of the Wisła program and emphasized the role of networked command and control.

“Further phases of the Wisła program are ahead of us. We are integrating them within the IBCS system, which is the command ‘brain’ that connects effectors and sensors,” he said. “First there are radars that collect data, then its transfer, the appropriate decision, and the indication of which launchers should act — whether Patriot launchers under the Wisła program or other systems, including those within the F-35 program.”

Later, the defense minister described the declaration of full operational capability as a milestone in Poland’s modern air defense architecture.

“This is a historic moment. I have just received a report on the full operational readiness of the Patriot system in the 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron, which manages these batteries,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “This is the implementation of the Wisła program — integrated air defense of the Polish state: missile defense, air defense, and counter-drone defense.”

The Wisła program is Poland’s flagship effort to build a layered, integrated air and missile defense network capable of countering aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial threats. The first phase centers on Patriot systems integrated with the Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, developed to link sensors and shooters across different platforms.

The 37th squadron, based in Sochaczew, is one of the first Polish units to operate Patriot batteries at full operational status under the Wisła framework. Achieving this status means the unit is certified to conduct real-world missions, not just training or limited readiness tasks.

Polish officials have repeatedly stressed that Wisła is designed as a foundation rather than a standalone capability. Future phases are expected to expand the number of interceptors, sensors, and integration with other systems, including fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35, to create a unified air and missile defense picture.

The announcement comes as Poland continues to accelerate military modernization in response to regional security challenges, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and growing concerns over missile and drone threats in Eastern Europe.