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In an important milestone for Northrop Grumman Corporation’s developed Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), Poland’s Ministry of National Defense declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the first IBCS-enabled battery of Poland’s WISŁA medium range air defense program.
With the deployment of IBCS, a U.S. Army program of record, Poland will now field one of largest, most capable air and missile defense forces in the world, with the ability to integrate air and missile defense across U.S. and Polish forces during combined operations.
A second battery is expected to achieve IOC by the end of this year.
In February, the United States and Polish governments signed a letter of offer and acceptance for IBCS to also serve as the core battle management command and control system for Poland’s NAREW short range air defense program in addition to phase two of the WISŁA medium range air defense program.
Expert:
Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, global battle management and readiness, Northrop Grumman: “Poland’s declaration of initial operational capability for IBCS proves the system’s readiness and groundbreaking capability to help warfighters defeat the complex threats of today and tomorrow. IBCS is seeing an increased demand from allies and partner nations worldwide looking to modernize their air and missile defense systems in our contested environment.”
Details on IBCS and the WISŁA and NAREW Programs:
In 2018, the Polish government selected IBCS to serve as the centerpiece for its WISŁA medium range air defense modernization program, becoming the first U.S. ally to acquire the system. Poland declared Basic Operational Capability last year.
Prior to the LOA signed in February, Northrop Grumman and Poland’s Ministry of National Defense signed an offset agreement enhancing Polish defense capabilities through Northrop Grumman technology transfers that will help Polish industry to manufacture, integrate and test IBCS’ critical defense technologies.
The offset agreements will support Polish industry and their sovereign production and maintenance capabilities for NAREW and WISŁA by creating high-technology jobs for Poland in several fields, including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics and maintenance support. Poland is working with the U.S. government for deliveries of IBCS equipment racks and software to be installed in operations centers designed, manufactured and delivered in partnership with Polish industry. This delivery approach is tailorable and allows for significant industrial participation and adaptation to meet Poland’s unique air defense needs.
