On Tuesday, February 7, the head of the Ministry of Defense observed the training of the 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron from the 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade as part of the "PATRIOT Familiarization" training package.

- We are in Warsaw, at the airport in Bemowo. We are in the middle of an missile and air defense troops' exercise. The purpose of these exercises is to improve capabilities to move the unit, take up positions, but also to synchronize the various elements that make up the PATRIOT team. I want to emphasize very strongly that all related to comments regarding the exercise is our conscious action. We have informed the public about it. As a rule, we address to you a request not to inform about the movement of Polish or allied troops. We are all aware that there is a war going on beyond our eastern border, but we intent to show certain exercises, deliberately show them. These exercises are designed to deter the aggressor, so we show the combat readiness of the Polish Armed Forces

- said Deputy Prime Minister.

- I want to firmly underline that these who takes part in the exercise are a team of experienced people and trained people, and now they are just sharpening their skills, which serve the security and defense of our Homeland.

- noted Deputy Prime Minister.

Soldiers from the 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade began training in handling and moving equipment, as well as developing combat group outside the place of permanent dislocation, among others at the Warsaw-Babice airfield. The "PATRIOT Familiarization" training, which deepens soldiers' equipment handling skills, is the next stage of the new IBCS and PATRIOT systems' implementation into the Polish Armed Forces. The head of the Ministry of Defense announced that a team composed of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade will soon leave for the United States.

- Upon their return, they will come back with experience in the implementation of the battlefield management system - a state-of-the-art battlefield management system

- said the head of the Ministry of Defense.

- In 2018, when we ordered PATRIOT sets, we ordered this system, we also ordered a state-of-the-art battlefield management system. Only in the US Army and the Polish Armed Forces is this system being implemented. This is an integrated battle command system - a state-of-the-art, once again I repeat network-centric system that will allow very efficient use of individual elements precisely ensuring security against air and missile threats. This is the most modern formula in the world. I am proud of the fact that the Polish Armed Forces, in parallel with the U.S. military, will have this very system in just a short while.

- said Deputy Prime Minister M. Blaszczak.

The head of the Ministry of Defense recalled that the experience of the war in Ukraine clearly shows how important it is to ensure anti-aircraft and anti-missile security. Deputy Prime Minister said that 17 countries around the world have the PATRIOT system, and the Polish system that is currently being deployed is the most modern version.

- I thank all the soldiers very much for taking over their duties so efficiently. This is a quality leap in terms of providing anti-aircraft and anti-missile security. We are implementing the PATRIOT system, but we are also implementing a system based on Polish-British solutions. It is about the small NAREW, we use British missiles on Polish elements, on Polish chassis

- said Deputy Prime Minister.

- The most important thing is that Polish soldiers operate this equipment very efficiently, and once again I stress very strongly, I ask you, as a rule, not to inform about exercises. Unless I ask you to do so. And just today I am asking you to speak very widely on this subject, to inform the public because this is a very significant part of deterrence policy. To show that the Polish Armed Forces are equipped consistently with modern weapons, that the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces are well trained

- M. Blaszczak pointed out.
***
The primary task of the "Vistula" system is to combat short-range tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and piloted means of aerial attack across the entire range of speed and altitude used by tactical aviation, as well as to combat unmanned aerial vehicles.

In May 2022, the head of the Ministry of Defense signed a Request for Proposal for the procurement of 3 squadrons or 6 batteries of the Patriot system including omnidirectional radars, launchers and a stockpile of missiles.