The Polish Ministry of Defense (Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej) announced that the Polish Land Forces (Wojska LÄ…dowe) 15th “Giżycka” Mechanized Brigade in Giżycko has received additional Poprad SPZR self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems from PIT-RADWAR S.A. The air defense squadron of that unit is currently receiving new Poprad VSHORAD air defense systems. The Poprad is a self-propelled anti-aircraft mobile missile launcher capable of destroying air targets at low and middle altitudes, using homing guidance missiles designed and manufactured by the Polish Defense Company Elektronika, a subsidiary of Polish Defence Holding.
The Poprad is fitted with a turret mounted at the rear of the Zubr 4×4 light armoured vehicle. The turret is armed with four GROM missiles ready to fire. In road position, the launch station is lowered at the rear side of the vehicle and protected by armour plates. The Poprad carries a total of eight missiles, 4 ready to fire and four inside the vehicle. The GROM missile can hit a flying target at a distance from 400 m to 5.5 km and from an altitude of 10 m minimum to 4 km maximum. Standard equipment of the Poprad includes electro-optical sensors with a thermal camera and laser range finder, fire control equipment, land navigation and north alignment system, and power supply system with a power generator.
The POPRAD uses the AMZ Zubr 4×4 armoured chassis to carry the missile weapon station. The forward part of the crew cab is fitted with a two-piece bulletproof windshield. The Zubr provides protection according to Stanag 4569 Level 4 for ballistic protection (7.62mm armour piercing rounds) and level 3a/3b protection against anti-personnel mines (8 kg explosive under any wheel or track location). The V-shaped hull deflects the blast impact of the landmines and IEDs away from the vehicle.The Poprad is motorized with an N60 ENT C Iveco Tector 6 cylinder common rail direct injection diesel engine coupled to a manual or automatic gearbox with six forward and one reverse speed.
