The Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ SA), through the PGZ-PILICA Consortium, finalized the delivery of all PILICA Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Systems to the Polish Army on November 30. The completion of the fourth, fifth, and sixth systems, culminating in a prototype adapted for series production, marks a pivotal moment as these very short-range air defense systems (VSHORAD), commissioned in November 2016, are now fully deployed within the army. The comprehensive delivery encompasses six PSR-A PILICA sets, each comprising 6 fire units with artillery tractors, a command post, radar station, along with 2 transport and ammunition vehicles. This independent project, driven by national production capabilities, significantly bolsters Poland’s defense prowess. Notably, the integrated PILICA sets exhibit far greater efficacy and efficiency in countering air threats compared to a singular ZU-23-2 cannon.
Henryk Labedz, President of the Management Board of ZM Tarnów, said, “The PILICA missile and artillery system stands as a cornerstone in Polish anti-aircraft defense, with ZM Tarnów serving as its integrator within the established consortium.”
Sebastian Chwalek, President of the Management Board of PGZ SA, said, “PSR-A PILICA constitutes a foundational component of the multi-layered, domestically-sourced air defense system for the Polish Armed Forces. The system garners praise from soldiers operating it daily and exemplifies effective cooperation within the Polish Armaments Group.”
The ongoing evolution of the PILICA system to PILICA+ signifies the commitment to providing the Polish Armed Forces with advanced anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems. Further affirming this commitment is the recent 2023 contract, securing 22 PILICA Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Systems, including 16 new units and enhancements to 6 existing units to meet PILICA+ standards. The PGZ-PILICA Consortium, comprising entities within the PGZ Capital Group – PGZ SA, PIT-RADWAR SA, PCO SA, and Zak?ady Mechaniczne Tarnów SA as the integrator – stands as the contractor for the PILICA Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery System. This achievement underscores a concerted effort towards fortifying Poland’s defense capabilities through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to national security.
PSR-A Pilica is a Polish Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) anti-aircraft missile and artillery system. PSR-A Pilica is a very short-range anti-aircraft system (VSHORAD), the lowest layer of air defense to combat unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, airplanes and cruise missiles at a distance of up to 6500 m, and point protection of important areas or objects. The main armament of the Pilica system is the ZUR-23-2SP Jodek missile and artillery set consisting of a double anti-aircraft gun, with a theoretical rate of fire of 2,000 rounds/min and an effective fire range of up to 3 km. It is a Polish modification of the 23 mm ZU-23-2 gun, combined with two PPZR Grom or Piorun missile launchers, with a range of 6.5 km. A single system (battery) consists of six fire units (JO), each of which consists of the ZUR-23-2SP Jodek missile and artillery set.
