Poland requests US Patriot missile defense system
September 7, 2016
Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said his country would buy eight Patriot systems from US defense contractor Raytheon
"I signed the decision to address a letter of request to the US government and the firm Raytheon in regard to ordering the Patriot system," Macierewicz told reporters on Tuesday.
Raytheon was offering "extremely advantageous offset conditions," he added. Raytheon has said half of the work on the missiles would be done in Poland.
Poland signed a letter of intent with Raytheon in July.
The missile system acquisition is part of Poland's drive to modernize its armed forces.
The modernization program has picked up speed since Russia's annexation of Crimea and backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine, which have spawned fears in Eastern Europe and the Baltics of Russian aggression.
The Patriot system is capable of intercepting tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missile and aircraft.
The Patriot is used by 13 countries, including five NATO members.
cw/jil (AFP, Reuters)