Poland enhances VSHORAD capacities

23rd December 2021 - 11:32 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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POPRAD equips brigades and regiments in Poland (photo - Polish MoD Armament Inspectorate)

The Polish MND Armament Inspectorate has announced the delivery of the last units of the self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system POPRAD.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) Armament Inspectorate announced on 15 December the delivery of the last nine self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems POPRAD. The very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) solution was manufactured by PIT-Radwar S.A. and acquired in December 2015.

POPRAD was designed to operate in the lowest tier of air and missile defence and can detect, identify and combat air targets at close distances.

It features ultra-short-range MESKO Grom anti-aircraft missiles and its modernised versions Piorun. The missiles are placed on the transport compartment of the AMZ-Kutno Żubr vehicle.

In total, Poland purchased 79 POPRADs, which are spread throughout the country equipping mechanised and rifle brigades as well as anti-aircraft regiments. These systems were first handed over in 2018.

The Armament Inspectorate also reported on 16 December the delivery of six KTO Rosomak command vehicles acquired in December 2020. These platforms will equip the 16th Mechanised Division and support operations to protect the Polish-Belarusian border.

Early this year, Poland also received a batch of 25 LPU Wirus-4 light strike vehicles (LSVs) to patrol the area.