Tag Archives: WZU

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Polish HIMARS

The Armaments Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defense has signed a framework agreement with Lockheed Martin for the Homar-A Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Under the program, Polish industry will work with Lockheed Martin to integrate key components of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rocket launcher onto a Jelcz 6×6 truck. The agreement builds on Lockheed Martin’s growing partnership ecosystem in Poland. It includes technology transfer and production orders for HIMARS ammunition. Key participants from Polish industry include Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), WZU and MESKO.

HIMARS
Polska Grup Zbrojeniowa And Lockheed Martin Will Integrate Key Components Of The HIMARS Launcher Onto A Jelcz Truck As Part Of The Homar-A Program (Photo Credit: Leszek Chemperek CO/MON)

Under the terms of the framework agreement, 486 Homar-A vehicles will be assembled in Poland, with first deliveries starting in 2026. In addition, tens of thousands of rocket ammunition missiles will be produced.

«The development of our Homar-A program marks another major step in strengthening Poland’s economic growth and security through partnerships with the local industrial base. We’re looking forward to jointly ensuring Poland and the entire region stay ahead of emerging security threats», said Paula Hartley, vice president and general manager of Tactical Missiles for Lockheed Martin.

The signing took place following the International Defense Industry Expo (MSPO) where the partnership debuted the first full-scale prototype of the Homar-A MLRS launcher equipped with a munitions pod that carries 6 GMLRS rockets, each with the ability to address targets at ranges of 70+ kilometers/43.5+ miles. Homar-A will also be able to launch the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) munition, which reaches up to 300 kilometers/186.4 miles.

Earlier this year, Poland also received its first shipment of HIMARS purchased through a United States Government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract. These launchers provide immediate capability and are interoperable with other defense systems used by Poland’s Armed Forces and regional allies.

A trusted partner for Poland’s national defense, industry, and economy, Lockheed Martin has invested $1.8 billion (USD) in Poland over the last 10 years. Today, its in-country operations sustain 6,700 high-value Polish jobs, of which 1,500 are with PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company and one of Poland’s leading defense exporters.

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Radars

Mała NAREW

PGZ and its subsidiaries, PIT-RADWAR, JELCZ and WZU, working hand-in-hand with MBDA have been making rapid progress on the SHOrt-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) solution, known as «Mała NAREW», with the first two Polish iLaunchers of the system already in Poland undergoing integration and trials ahead of delivery to the customer.

Mała NAREW
PGZ and MBDA making rapid progress on «Mała NAREW»

This project aims to deliver rapidly two SHORAD-class fire units equipped with Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) missiles, integrated with SOŁA radar stations and the Polish Command and Control (C2) system.

The «Mała NAREW» units are being adapted to work within one SHORAD class solution. Functional integration of the radar stations, C2 systems and CAMM missile fire control software is going hand-in-hand with the physical integration of subsequent iLauncher with JELCZ trucks chassis. The first training sessions for operators of iLauncher and Polish components of the «Mała NAREW» system has already been conducted.

Sebastian Chwałek, CEO of PGZ S.A. said: «By implementing this program, we strengthen our credibility as a strategic partner for the army, ready to provide advanced air defence systems at record pace. We treat «Mała NAREW» as a test ground before the NAREW program, showing what our capabilities are and how to cooperate with major foreign partner MBDA UK on a joint project. We believe that this relationship will translate into further successes, both for our companies and the armies that will trust us to bring their air defence into XXI century».

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: «We’re proud that the co-operation between MBDA and PGZ achieved the arrival of the first air defence hardware into Poland in an incredibly short timeframe. The successes of the «Mała Narew» project are a very positive indicator for the success of PGZ-MBDA co-operation on the wider NAREW project that will include extensive transfer of technology and knowledge to Poland on missiles and launchers».

The «Mała NAREW» program, in addition to the fire units themselves, also includes a training and logistics package. Under the project, PGZ and MBDA are conducting integration of selected British and Polish elements of air defence systems as well as provide technical support for the ordered equipment at the operational stage. The contract provides for the delivery of the first «Mała NAREW» fire unit this year, and the second in 2023.