The first launchers for Poland’s new short short-range air defense (SHORAD) system, referred to as “Mala Narew” in Polish, have arrived in the country. The Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ SA) 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 with the first two Polish iLaunchers of the system already in Poland undergoing integration and trials ahead of delivery to the customer. This project aims to deliver rapidly two SHORAD-class fire units equipped with CAMM missiles, integrated with SOLA radar stations and the Polish C2 system. 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.
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 “MALA 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.”
Sebastian Chwalek, 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 “MaLa 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.”
The “MaLa NAREW” units are being adapted to work within one SHORAD class solution. The first training sessions for operators of iLauncher and Polish components of the “MaLa NAREW” system has already been conducted. The “MaLa 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 “MaLa NAREW” fire unit this year, and the second in 2023.
The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) is a family of surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA UK for the United Kingdom. The CAMM missile will form the core of the land based air defence version for the Royal Artillery. CAMM has an active RF seeker that provides true all-weather performance with excellent clutter rejection capabilities. From 2021, as Land Ceptor it is the missile part of the Sky Sabre air defence system replacing the Rapier missile in British Army service. The system is also contributing to the updating of MBDA’s ASRAAM in service with the Royal Air Force.
The NAREW program provides for the development and delivery of components and subsystems for 23 short-range anti-aircraft missile systems. The agreement between the PGZ-NAREW Consortium and MBDA UK is a confirmation of the British partner’s readiness for quick and efficient deliveries of the effector team – the CAMM missiles and iLaunchers – which will be integrated by the members of the Consortium as part of the contract concluded April 14 this year, for the delivery of two short-range air defence fire units for the Polish Armed Forces in the accelerated formula.
