On February 29, 2024, in Warsaw, the Ministry of National Defence of Poland and the United States government reached an agreement (in the form of an exchange of letters between governments, Letters of Offer and Acceptance – LOA) for the delivery of a new American Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) to Poland under the American Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
The agreement, worth 2.53 billion dollars, calls for the delivery of IBCS system kits from 2024 to 2031 for six batteries (12 systems) of American Patriot PAC-3+ surface-to-air missile systems ordered as part of the second stage of the Wisla programme, as well as 23 ordered medium-range air defence (MRAD) batteries (with CAMM-ER surface-to-air missiles) under the Narew programme.
Poland has become Northrop Grumman’s first foreign customer for its integrated IBCS system, which will begin serial production in 2023. The first serial IBCS set was delivered to the United States Army in December 2023. Switzerland is set to become IBCS’ second overseas customer.
The US Army and Poland anticipate incorporating Patriot systems into the IBCS. The system can connect various sensors and actuators on land, in the air, at sea, or in space. It displays the full tactical situation, as well as the positions of own and enemy units, on a big digital map, providing unmatched situational awareness and comprehension of the combat scenario. Poland plans to use IBCS to connect and combine sensors and effectors from the Pilica, Narew, and Wisla systems.
IBCS integrates sensors and effectors from previously non-cooperating systems, as demonstrated by Northrop Grumman. Last year, it successfully engaged a target simulating a ballistic missile trajectory with three small AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radars and PAC-3 MSE (Patriot) at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Originally, the Patriot system used sector-based fire control radars like the AN/MPQ-53/65 or the latest very capable 360° LTAMDS (Lower-Tier Air-and-Missile Defence Sensor). Sentinel is substantially smaller (placed on a single-axle trailer), lighter, and requires less energy than these radars. However, its natural range is significantly shorter.
