Patriot battery delivery according to the plan
07.10.2021
“We assume that the deliveries will be made at the scheduled time - the Patriots will be delivered to our country by the end of next year. We are preparing the infrastructure, and soldiers will be trained to use these weapons. Everything is going according to plan ” - said Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence during a meeting in the USA with Polish soldiers.
On Thursday, October the 7th, during the second day of his stay in the United States, the head of the Ministry of National Defence met with the soldiers of the 3rd Air Defence Missile Brigade, who are participating in maintenance training at Fort Sill to operate the PATRIOT system.
“I am very impressed, both with what our soldiers learn and with our soldiers' approach to their duties. The laboratories are very well equipped and Polish soldiers use the knowledge of experienced lecturers - US Army soldiers who were on missions, who also operated Patriots in combat conditions. These are unique experiences that will already be passed on to Polish soldiers, which makes the Polish Army ready to defend the Republic of Poland” - Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said during the meeting with Polish soldiers.
The American Fort Sill (Oklahoma) is training Polish Army soldiers who will receive the first two Patriot batteries next year. The soldiers of the 3rd Air Defence Missile Brigade are participating in the Allied Patriot Air Defence Operator course organized at the Air Defence Artillery School concerning operation and maintenance of the PATRIOT system. This is another training group of Polish soldiers who will undergo specialist course.
“Our ambition is to integrate various defence systems into one network. We will also ensure that the military has a full situational overview. So that it could respond adequately to the needs. This is undoubtedly raising the capabilities of the Polish Army a few levels higher. Fort Sill is an artillery centre, it is an artillery training centre in the USA. Polish soldiers use the best instructors and the best conditions to improve their skills" - emphasized the head of the Ministry of National Defence.
In March 2018, Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed a contract for the purchase of PATRIOT anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems. The system will be one of the main elements of the state's air defence.
“Polish soldiers praised the good atmosphere, contacts with American soldiers and allied armies. The acquaintances here concluded will undoubtedly pay off in the future. Everything that Polish soldiers learn at Fort Sill builds interoperability with US soldiers and soldiers of the North Atlantic Alliance " - noted the head of the Ministry of National Defence.
