Photo By Darrell Ames | First live-fire operational exercise for Poland’s IBCS was conducted during the...... read more read more
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Ustka, Poland – September 22, 2025 – The Republic of Poland’s 37th Air and Missile Defence Squadron successfully conducted an Operational Demonstration of its WISŁA/Patriot program recently, highlighted by a live-fire flight test at the Centralny Poligon Sił Powietrzn/ [Central Air Force Training Ground] in Ustka, northern Poland. This event marked a significant milestone toward Poland’s declaration of Full Operational Capability.
The WISŁA program is Poland’s medium-range air and missile defense modernization effort, built around the U.S. Integrated Battle Command System which adapts legacy Patriot missile defense system radars, launchers, and interceptors into a modern Integrated Air and Missile Defense network. Enabled by IBCS, Poland’s WISŁA batteries can link multiple diverse sensors and shooters across a single fire control network, making the system fully plug-and-fight capable with U.S. and NATO assets. WISŁA is the largest and most significant Foreign Military Sales program across the U.S. Army today.
The demonstration showcased Poland’s ability to employ IBCS in concert with adapted Patriot components, underscoring the nation’s growing operational capacity to integrate and command advanced air and missile defense forces.
Poland became the first U.S. ally to acquire IBCS in 2018, selecting it as the centerpiece of the WISŁA program. Working closely with the U.S. government and industry partners, Poland declared Basic Operational Capability in 2023 and Initial Operational Capability in 2024. Today, WISŁA reflects the scale and importance of this strategic partnership as the largest FMS program in the Army portfolio.
Poland’s success is operationally critical and carries political and military implications—reinforcing NATO deterrence, coalition interoperability, and defense industry credibility. U.S. support remains unwavering. Poland’s achievement demonstrates the strength of an open-systems approach to coalition-ready integrated fires, bolsters NATO’s eastern flank, and enhances combined plug-and-fight capability.
Alliance & Commitment
“Poland’s success is NATO’s success. U.S. commitment ensures Poland has an IBCS-enabled Patriot force by the end of 2025,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Office Missiles and Space. “Together, we are demonstrating the future of integrated air and missile defense for all coalition partners.”
With the continued deployment of IBCS, a U.S. Army program of record, Poland is on track to field one of the largest and most capable air and missile defense forces in the world. This achievement enhances NATO’s ability to integrate air and missile defense across allied forces, strengthening strategic ties in a volatile region.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 19:22 |
| Story ID: | 549005 |
| Location: | USTKA, PL |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Republic of Poland’s NAREW Program Successfully Conducts Live-Fire Test, by Darrell Ames, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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