Poland advances toward a unified multi-layer air and missile defense system
Poland is progressing with a multi-layer air defense framework that integrates American Patriot systems, British CAMM missiles, and native Pioruny missiles. The objective, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak on Thursday in Radom, is a coherent, integrated defense network that marries variety with interoperability.
The deputy prime minister observed a training exercise at Warsaw-Radom Airport that tested anti-aircraft and anti-missile capabilities across the Wisła, Narew, and Pilica systems. He commented that Poland stands well along the path to a layered defense, noting that Patriot launchers within the Wisła system, CAMM-equipped iLaunchers within the Narew system, and the Pilica platform were all visible at the Radom drills.
“We are awaiting Pilica,” he stated, “and it will arrive. These are artillery and missile systems that combine gun fire with Piorun missiles, and CAMM will soon be integrated into these configurations.”
The discussion highlighted the presence of very short-range air defense kits, such as the Piorun missiles, and the ongoing integration of an anti-drone capability. The overarching aim is to construct a layered framework—an Air Defense System for the Republic of Poland (PAP)—that combines these elements into a truly cohesive whole.
Błaszczak emphasized that experiences from the war in Ukraine have informed lessons for building Poland’s air defense architecture. He also noted a shift away from post-Soviet organizational models, where air defense occasionally overlapped with or competed against land forces. Today, he argued, a single, cohesive system has emerged, eliminating rivalry between the army and the air force.
He added that older, post-Soviet equipment is being phased out and replaced by American Patriot systems, British CAMMs, and domestically produced Pioruny and anti-drone technologies, among others.
“The training was scripted.”
Colonel Michał Marciniak, the Deputy Chief of the Armaments Bureau and the Minister of National Defense’s Plenipotentiary for the Construction of the Integrated Anti-Aircraft and Missile Defense System, explained that the exercise aimed to establish a multi-layered defense for a critical infrastructure facility, with Radom airport serving as the scenario site. He described the scenario as a simulated attack using ballistic missiles, winged missiles, and conventional air strikes, with the objective of validating a layered defense and refining command-and-control procedures for a battle group. The outcome demonstrated the armed forces’ capacity to protect critical infrastructure across the country.
Marciniak noted that the equipment employed at Radom enables countermeasures against threats ranging from small drones weighing about one kilogram to tactical ballistic missiles. Since April 12, Radom has hosted training for the anti-aircraft and anti-missile subunits of the 3rd Air Defense Missile Brigade, the 18th and 15th Anti-Aircraft Regiments, and the 15th Command Support Brigade. The primary goal of the exercises has been to plan air and missile defense operations across medium-range (Wisła), short-range (Mała Narew), and very short-range (Pilica) systems, marking a significant step in preparing service elements for safeguarding Poland’s air security.
Airport-based training assessed how individual systems cooperate to defend key critical infrastructure through coordinated firepower and surveillance. The exercise included participation from the Patriot fire group, the PSR-A Pilica anti-aircraft battery, and the Mała Narew battery from the 18th Infantry Regiment, with anti-drone capabilities also integrated into the task force. The event and its outcomes reflect ongoing readiness to counter a spectrum of threats to national airspace.
This account reflects official reporting captured during the exercise and is attributed to Polish defense and security outlets. .