MEADS updates Wisła offer

MEADS International (MI) has updated its offer for Poland’s medium-range air defence (Wisła) programme to reflect the requirement for greater technology transfer into the Polish defence industry.

MI is offering the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) for the programme, along with a technology transfer plan, that will support Polish industry in strengthening its air and missile defence systems integration capabilities.

The MI consortium accepted the Polish Ministry of Defence’s invitation to revive discussions on MEADS in February 2016, and in September MI signed a Letter of Intent for ongoing cooperation with Polish defence company PGZ.

MEADS technology includes active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, digital systems, 360-degree defence and an open-architecture non-proprietary network. Developed by Germany, Italy and the US, the 360-degree MEADS system addresses deficiencies in currently fielded systems and defeats air and missile threats from any direction, arrives and moves with deployed troops, and is interoperable with other NATO forces.

Tom Oles, vice president for MEADS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘We’re extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to present a detailed offer to the Ministry of National Defense. 

‘MEADS represents the most affordable and the quickest path to the capabilities Poland requires, and if MEADS is selected for Wisła, Polish industry will benefit from technology implementation and future sales of MEADS in partnership with global leaders in defence.’