Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne (WZE) will become the only Polish company to have access to US technology for the production of PAC-3 missile components used in Patriot launchers. The plant in Zielonka near Warsaw was visited by Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak

“For assuring Poland to be safe, the Polish Army must be strong, numerous and armed with modern weapons”, the minister said at the WZE factory in Zielonka. The head of the Ministry of Defence (MON) recalled that thanks to decisions made several years ago and an offset to the contract for the supply of the first phase of the Vistula anti-missile system, Poland will be able to create specialist competence.

The head of the Ministry of Defence pointed out that this type of activity will be carried out only in the United States and precisely in Zielonka near Warsaw. He added that an equally important activity of the WZE is the servicing of Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles. This armament is used both by the Norwegian armed forces and by Polish soldiers from naval missile units.

Minister Błaszczak also drew attention to the omnidirectional observation system, which is manufactured at the Zielonka plant. The product, which allows 360-degree terrain observation, is being mounted on the new Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles. The system, which is being developed at WZE, is created by Polish engineers, and could become a flagship product of the Polish armaments industry.

Another project carried out in cooperation with US partners is the Hardware in the Loop laboratory. This is a simulation laboratory for testing missile guidance systems of various types. A specialised device will be installed in Hardware in the Loop, allowing Polish engineers to simulate overloads during the testing of missiles in real flight. This programme includes tests during the launch and manoeuvring of the rocket.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński