The Polish Air Defense System Wisła has been placed on the highest combat readiness 0 5

The Polish medium-range air and missile defense system Wisła has officially achieved full combat readiness. The corresponding report was accepted by the Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak. Exactly a year ago, the military reported achieving initial operational capability of the system.

After accepting the report, the minister emphasized that Wisła is a fundamental element of Poland's multi-layered air defense:

"We have an integrated defense program consisting of several levels. The medium level is precisely the Wisła program. Then there are Narew, Pilica, Pilica Plus. At the same time, the SAN program is being developed, which includes various types of military equipment, including drone and anti-drone systems. All of this demonstrates how we are building the defense of the Polish state. This is the most expensive part of the entire defense architecture of the country."

The Wisła system is based on American Patriot missile defense systems. It currently includes two batteries, each consisting of two firing units with four launchers. Each firing unit also includes a command post, a radar station, as well as logistics and technical support equipment. The system uses PAC-3 MSE missiles, which ensure the defeat of highly maneuverable and low-observable aerial targets, including ballistic missiles.

The Polish army will further receive six more firing units equipped with the latest radars with circular coverage, significantly expanding the system's capabilities to counter threats.

The Wisła program is the largest defense project in modern Polish history, aimed at ensuring the country's protection against missile and aviation threats. It is being implemented as part of the strategic modernization of the armed forces and the integration of Polish air defense into NATO's collective defense system.

The first decisions to acquire the system were made in 2015, and in 2018 Poland signed a contract with the United States for the purchase of Patriot systems to NATO standards with integration into Polish command and control infrastructure. The contract became one of the largest in the history of the Polish armed forces — its value exceeded $4.7 billion.

The creation of the system took place in stages:

• Phase I — procurement of the first two Patriot missile defense batteries, training of crews, deployment of infrastructure.

• Phase II — integration of additional equipment and procurement of modern radars with circular coverage (LTAMDS), as well as adaptation of the system to work with other elements of Polish air defense, including Narew.

The Wisła complex is designed to provide Poland with protection against a wide range of threats — from aircraft and helicopters to modern ballistic and cruise missiles. It becomes the central link of the new multi-layered air defense system of the country, complementing the close (Pilica), short (Narew), and prospective anti-drone levels of protection.