Visitors at MSPO 2014 in Kielce were able to see the ASTER 30 SAMP/T land-based air defence system, which was brought from France specifically for that event. It was its debut at the Polish defense exhibition.
The whole SAMP/T tactical system, including Command and Control (C2) vehicles, ARABEL radar as well as a mobile launcher with ASTER 30 missiles, arrived in Poland with a crew composed of the French Air Force.
The presence of SAMP/T in Kielce is no surprise at all. Eurosam is one of two contenders in Poland’s Wisla medium-range system, which will give Poland at least six batteries by 2022. The second one is Raytheon offering PATRIOT (PAC-3 MSE and PAC-2 GEM-T).
Eurosam is owned by MBDA and Thales. Both companies, eager to win Polish contract, are willing to propose a technical cooperation to Polish defense industry. The list of Polish companies includes Bumar Elektronika, Mesko, Huta Stalowa Wola, Centrum Techniki Morskiej, Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1, Jelcz, Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne, and ZM Tarnów. MBDA and Thales are already partners with the PHO and accepted the Polish company as project leader. Those companies declared many fields of potential cooperation in missile defense project, including all key parts of air defence system: missiles, missile launcher, missile re-loader, radar technology, communications, electronics, mechanics. Polish companies were offered participation in every phase: study, design, development, production, integration, tests, acceptance, maintenance, mid-life upgrade and training work. MBDA and Thales announced that they are ready to talk with Polish partners about cooperation in R&D, including on the ASTER 30 1NT missiles and new radars. MBDA is ready to establish in Poland both a production line of several elements and a final assembly line. Poland wants the Polish defense industry to participate in 50%, including missile production.
According to MBDA and Thales, by selecting their offer Poland will be able to secure between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs on the long term.
However, if finally selected, it is highly likely that Poland’s SAMP/T will be different than a current version presented at MSPO 2014. Poland wants a new version of the ASTER 30 missile, which will be able to engage tactical ballistic missiles. Polish SAMP/T would use an additional radar (P-18PL) and vehicle provided by Jelcz. Moreover, the Polish defense industry might be responsible for providing elements for such components as command and control, communication and launchers.
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| Eurosam's SAMP/T tactical air defence system with ASTER 30 missiles. (Photos: Robert Czulda) |
The whole SAMP/T tactical system, including Command and Control (C2) vehicles, ARABEL radar as well as a mobile launcher with ASTER 30 missiles, arrived in Poland with a crew composed of the French Air Force.
The presence of SAMP/T in Kielce is no surprise at all. Eurosam is one of two contenders in Poland’s Wisla medium-range system, which will give Poland at least six batteries by 2022. The second one is Raytheon offering PATRIOT (PAC-3 MSE and PAC-2 GEM-T).
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| SAMP/T's ARABEL radar and C2 vehicle. |
Eurosam is owned by MBDA and Thales. Both companies, eager to win Polish contract, are willing to propose a technical cooperation to Polish defense industry. The list of Polish companies includes Bumar Elektronika, Mesko, Huta Stalowa Wola, Centrum Techniki Morskiej, Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1, Jelcz, Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne, and ZM Tarnów. MBDA and Thales are already partners with the PHO and accepted the Polish company as project leader. Those companies declared many fields of potential cooperation in missile defense project, including all key parts of air defence system: missiles, missile launcher, missile re-loader, radar technology, communications, electronics, mechanics. Polish companies were offered participation in every phase: study, design, development, production, integration, tests, acceptance, maintenance, mid-life upgrade and training work. MBDA and Thales announced that they are ready to talk with Polish partners about cooperation in R&D, including on the ASTER 30 1NT missiles and new radars. MBDA is ready to establish in Poland both a production line of several elements and a final assembly line. Poland wants the Polish defense industry to participate in 50%, including missile production.
According to MBDA and Thales, by selecting their offer Poland will be able to secure between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs on the long term.
However, if finally selected, it is highly likely that Poland’s SAMP/T will be different than a current version presented at MSPO 2014. Poland wants a new version of the ASTER 30 missile, which will be able to engage tactical ballistic missiles. Polish SAMP/T would use an additional radar (P-18PL) and vehicle provided by Jelcz. Moreover, the Polish defense industry might be responsible for providing elements for such components as command and control, communication and launchers.
Robert Czulda