The UK and Poland have signed a significant £1.9 billion export agreement for the implementation of a British air defence system across Poland.
MBDA, a leading UK firm, will collaborate with the Polish government to provide cutting-edge, ground-based air defence capabilities aimed at safeguarding the country for generations.
The agreement marks one of the largest bilateral European air defence deals of its kind within NATO and follows months of close collaboration between the two nations.
Under a programme called PILICA+, the UK will equip 22 Polish air defence batteries with UK Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) and launchers.
These sophisticated missiles can be deployed to protect high-value, mobile assets such as deployed military forces or critical national infrastructure.
Designed by MBDA, the British CAMM is the latest generation air defence system utilized by both the British Army and Royal Navy.
The system has already been deployed to Poland by the British Army to safeguard its airspace in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The CAMM system can engage advanced air and missile targets up to 25km away and boasts the capability of striking a tennis ball-sized object travelling beyond the speed of sound. This missile deal will support over 500 jobs at MBDA UK and follows a series of defence agreements with Poland.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement:
“We have played a crucial role in boosting Euro-Atlantic defences since Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, and this landmark agreement between the UK and Poland is another example of how, alongside our allies, we are committed to protecting our security for generations to come. As well as bolstering European air defences, this £1.9bn deal will also support highly skilled jobs in both countries, delivering on my pledge to grow the economy, and creating better paid jobs and opportunity right across the UK.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace added:
“I am delighted that the UK and Poland’s deep and historic defence ties take another step forward with the signing of the largest ever UK defence export deal with Poland. We are committed to supporting Poland’s defence modernisation plans and this upgraded air-defence programme will ensure that Poland and the UK have the ability to continue safeguarding our people and bolstering NATO security.”
Managing Director of MBDA UK Chris Allam was also quoted:
“We are deeply proud that Poland is placing CAMM at the core of their layered air defence systems. This landmark Polish-UK cooperation will provide a major boost to Poland’s air defence capabilities and bring our defence industries closer together, enabling sovereignty and supporting jobs in both countries.”
Can we now please get some for RAF Airfields!! Marham/Conningsby/Lossimouth/Waddington & Brize Norton to start
Not a priority. I guess the only threat to those will be submarine cruise missiles. If it is some ballistic missile you need something in class of Arrow 3 not a CAMM.
Yes, but cruise missiles are a threat vector that can be dealt with by CAMM as can aircraft, large drones and dumb bombs.
The fact that CAMM isn’t massively useful against ballistics isn’t a reason to not deploy it against other recognisable threats.
Sure you would need ASTOR-NT for ABM but why fire an expensive missile and deplete your stocks of it when you could fire something cheaper that does a defined job?
Layers……
Indeed the whole Polish missile defence system is about layers of which this is one aspect. And of course this agreement is all about improving the capabilities and range of CAMM which will benefit us all. I think the real benefit here is indeed it sets out a basis for long term and widespread missile cooperation which will hopefully spawn various spin offs and lead who knows where but reflects the sort of deals that France has done for manny years opening up long term associations others find it difficult to prise apart.
We have a great product that is exporting very nicely. And that means partners to fund R&D either directly or indirectly.
I don’t think we are sharing the tech at all TBH.
Two related reports today refer to Russia targeting Ukrainian S300 batteries by jamming resistant drones and mock up S300 batteries on flatbeds in USA.
Second logical enough, of course, but first could require point defence of Ukraine’s missile assets come the counter offensive or earlier, it would seem. Not necessarily CAMM or similar – for a drone – but some short range missile / gun, surely.
SB my point is that if cruise missiles are being sent to RAF airfields then there is a bigger and much more destructive problem going against UK cities.
So i would say a anti ballistic missile defence is more important than airfield cruise missile protection.
I would assume the priority would be protecting military installations first. Then it would be factories and power stations, then ports and airports to protect trade. Cities would be the last priority, although I’m by no means saying we shouldn’t protect them at all.
Exactly, believe there was an article stating HMG was planning to initiate a GBAD program, presented some time ago? Believe we should establish a betting pool in re to when, and at what cost, for an analysis to enable HMG to arrive at the same conclusion as your post. Of course, it will be an officially vetted answer, mind you…🤔😉
That’s the exact threat the UK mainland faces. One that’s inadequately defended by the handful of typhoons we have.
In times like this when Putin could go nuts at any moment, a bit of layered GBAD for the UK wouldn’t be prudent. Shared inventory, and deployable around the country’s Ports, bases, airfields, key manufacturing and infrastructure. Who wouldn’t want some more subs and UUVs, a few more P-8s and even an additional T26 right now too?
* I meant “would”be prudent.
Steve is right. We should have our few airbases maximum defended. CAMM for cruise missile and I guess Aster 30NT silos for ballistic and hypersonics defence. As we have few frontline bases the cost to defend them wouldn’t be gigantic. They would also throw out a useful area of shielding around parts of the UK
Exactly this. We’ve been Expeditionary focused for a long time and I’d like to see greater emphasis on home defence, things like this.
Spot on ,helping Poland out with our sky sabre units fine but how many do we have ? .Did a unit ever make to the Falklands as originally planned ?
Yes, I believe the battery from 16RA that rotates to MPA is Sky Sabre equipped.
I agree but a local area defence missile with a 25KM range guarding and air base in the middle of England is pointless. I do believe we have a need for 8 to 12 batteries of an updated SAMP/T system than can provide ABM coverage for key citiy regions and targets in the UK as well as providing the ability to target cruise missiles. Indeed a mix of Atser 30 NT block II and CAMM is probably a great combo just like a T45 on land. It’s something we also need for expeditionary warfare and it’s increasingly something Allie’s are… Read more »
Yes, I agree.
As SB says, layers.
Isn’t the “25km’ a bit of a furphy? Isn’t it more 50-60km? Hopefully if it’s that short they’re working on extending it.
They do say 25km+. The longer range version is CAMM-ER which is supposed to be ESSM sort of range. They all 3 have published ranges with a +. Range is also dependent on target. Taking out a slow moving helicopter or a crossing Mach 2 fighter jet or missile? At 25km, it may not matter which. At 50km?
Very true 👍
Agreed mate, refocus on home defence, with a light role short term expeditionary capability (RM/16AA) but no longer at the expense of depth and resilience in our main force! Air defence both ground based and air assets, ballistic missile defence are aspects which have a new priority mate.
As so often, we think alike.
Would be nice 😊
Agreed, re role the RAF Reg ground defence Sqns back to AD and let’s stop pretending they are infantry! Give them a useful and important job role once more!
I have a feeling that RAF Reg ‘types’, would strongly disagree with your disparaging view with regard to their “usefulness”.😮
Like I said mate give them back the AD role, and stop pretending to be infantry! Or, if they want to be infantry go where the Infantry go, to Brecon, to carry out their career courses, where the standards are set, maintained and equal to all! But that’s a no (same as Sniper cadres, P Coy, Recce cadres etc etc)! The AD role with CAMM and a smaller anti-drone system will maximise their usefulness! But at least while they are doing what they do, it means real infantry soldiers don’t have to stag on RAF bases…..😂👍
Yep don’t mess with the Rocs they bite. Love ex RAF Techo.
And all the Navy Ports, all naval ship manufacturing and the subs being built at Barrow!
Oh yeh i agree but baby steps 🙂 would also Catterick, Tidworth and Akrotiri & Dakelia plus 2-3 deployable sets for EAW’s
After reading your initial list I made a brief list in my head, there’s quite a few places I’d like cover for. Catterick Tidworth I don’t include yet, as they’re garrisons, most of their assets would deploy and apart from certain key infrastructure within them like the ACs they’re not so strategic to my mind. To do it properly would probably cost far too much, as there are so many places that could do with a point/area defence. I’d rather cover the HQ, logistics and comms side, without which the rest is redundant. So Naphill, Boulmer, Andover, Donnington, Bicester, Kineton,… Read more »
Hi DM as you say fantasy fleets time, my thought are 5 RAF Main bases plus 3 HMNB plus 2 of biggest garrisons (those are where the draft would be trained if it really did hit the fan. These are to protect from what i think would be biggest threat SLCM, i’m not talking about ABM defence need THAAD or double the number of ABM capable destroyers for that and to cover CSG/LRG’s.
Hi Steve, yes, I was only referring to CAMM, local or point defence myself. A wider theatre system like Jim suggests is needed on top.
Similar to what A says, It amazes me how politicians like Sunak can grandstand at such announcements yet if he bothers to look his own RA can only dream of such purchases with a mere single regiment of Sky Sabre ( it is still vague, probably by design, at how many systems 16RA actually fields ) and another of HVM/LMM/Stormer.
Yawn. Bring on the 3.7″ more like. Royal Observer Corps if you are lucky.
This is good news for Poland and the MBDA.
I wonder what a battery will be made up of, what radar they will use, vehicle type etc?
Hopefully this order will keep the missiles at a decent price for any future orders.
Pretty much every European country uses SAAB Giraffe radar for Short/Medium range air defence batteries.
No. Not France, Italy, Spain, Germany
France uses Giraffe in its Airforce mobile C&C facilities since 2001 and signed a deal in 2020 to renew them (they are deployed for early warning at most of the airbases in France and taken on foreign deployments). Germany uses them on the Brandenburg class Frigates, Even US uses them on its ships as the AN/SPS–77 (Independence LCS, Nimitz, Wasp, America, Sea Base and Heritage class Cutters).
Most of the “building blocks” for the battery we have our own, produced in Poland:
* Vehicle for iLauncher: Jelcz P882.57 (8×8, armored cab, manufacturer Jelcz)),
* Radiolocation station/radar: Bystra (AESA, producer PIT-RADWAR),
* Radar vehicle: Żubr-P (manufacturer AMZ-Kutno),
* Very short-range support: artillery and missile set (double 23mm cannon ZUR-23-2SP Jodek / manufacturer ZM Tarnów) + rocket launcher Grom/Piorun / manufacturer Mesko. All on the Jelcz 442.32 vehicle,
* Communication systems, combat management, optics – probably all ours.
This is to be added to some of our non-kinetic anti-drone protection and a 35mm artillery system with programmable ammo.
Would be nice if we had a ground based air defence…
Good opportunity to do a deal on Polish assembled S-70 Blackhawks perhaps, sharp intake of breath, awaiting the usual “but what of the Wasteland workers” ….
I’ll get my coat….
AW -149 also can be build in Poland…by one of PZL’s…in fact Poland ordered 32
😆
🤣🤣👍
Long over due 🤔
We do (Sky Sabre). It’s in the Falklands…
How many ?
Predictably, Argentina and China are getting somewhat pally over the Falkland Isles.
The latter would already be there in all likelihood if 1982 had gone differently. Then they could add to their designs on S. Africa. Nice.
Huge deposits of lithium found in Argentina, who could likely purchase Chinese equipment and also pay with their beef exports. Hope the UK government is working on some plan to mitigate developments here. An extra Harry Dewolf type AOPV might be useful down south.
Yes, China has targeted a great deal of the source counties for many critical elements as well as choke points, of course. Got to give credit for their strategy which is basically sound, with the main weakness seemingly their authoritarian & bullying attitude from then on in. Still, by the time that’s fully realised by the countries they’re ostensibly aiding, it could be too late for those states and the West, Vietnam (the ultimate irony?) and the Philippines notwithstanding. We, the West in general, may have been too patronising of our erstwhile ‘3rd country’ associates, but it is not too… Read more »
Good. Just good.
Good, hopefully this will pave the way for more batteries for the UK and, dare I say it, CAMM-ER too..?! Seeing as they’re kind of related in terms of design and manufacturing companies (even if the agreement and arrangements are I think different), I wonder if CAMM and SAMP/T can be combined into an integrated ADS, for layered air defence? I’m, frankly, less worried about defending UK infrastructure and bases; I struggle to see what would be striking us, other than sub-launched ballistic missiles, at which point it’s kind of all over. But Ukraine proves that a properly layered AD… Read more »
They can as it’s basically what the T45 does, the SAMP/T radar and SAMPSON were developed in conjunction with each other.
Shame he won’t fund his own country having the same. Wouldn’t do to spend money though would it. Maybe if his wife had shares in the company…
Israel has it’s Iron Dome; Britain has virtually a “Britain welcomes balistic missiles” sign on it with so little home defence. The cost of all that huge & growing untaxed wealth off shore could be paid in blood if anyone started bombarding us.
I thought it is for CAMM-MR more big range than ER and CAMM
Not clear? Both CAMM and CAMM-MR?
It is CAMM. CAMM-ER would mean giving money to Italians and CAMM-MR/EX/whatever no anyone knows what is it.
Thanks
MBDA isn’t British, it’s a multi-national.The HQ is in France. BAe owns 37.5% of it.
That’s the largest % though. And there are subsidiaries so MBDA UK is British.
Subsidiaries can make deals in their own. This deal was made by MBDA UK.
Exactly more Tory bullshit
22 AD Batteries! FFS an equipment procurement the RA can only dream about! But, the Polish impress me all the time with their previous and current procurement decisions and the seriousness they take the Russian threat! For the last 5 years at least Poland have been the tip of the NATO spear, and more so in the future! And the blokes (and ladies) are deffo good in a scrap! GROM lads are top notch!
Yep got give it to the polish 👍
Hopefully this might give the NASAMs a bit of competition and attract some new orders. Like to see a bigger capacity launcher like Israel’s Iron Dome (5×4) that seems to have been developed with the US. Anyway this is a very good start!
And yet, I read on Gabs blog their Army is similar to our 73k.
They can field so much war fighting kit compared to our miserly 4 brigades?
Something’s wrong.
Wiki sas between 75 to 100k. They plan to increase to 300k !! that’s a big increase to find manpower and train them
Ahhh, so that’s why. Ok, thanks Simon.
Seems very ambitious to me. that’s a lot of extra personal to find,train and pay
The cynic in me wonders if that’s the result of ll the Russian & Chinese money HMG & business has been chasing over the last decade. Led by donkeys doesn’t even cover it.
Is this the same CAMM or a possible improved CAMM-EX maybe with a bit more range and zip? This must give a blueprint for what the UK can also have as part of its GBAD mix. Seems like this has all happened pretty quickly too.
Good on MBDA and 🇬🇧 🇵🇱 relations!
It will be interesting to see if this Polish CAMM adoption leads to the development of a naval CAMM/EX equivalent for their A140s which could then be adopted by the RN down the track.
The Polish are soon going to be the 2nd most powerful land forces in NATO. This order is just going to add to an already impressive order of military equipment.
Yep, Poland definitely making statement to Chief ORC you can’t beat UKR we more newer kit (& article5)
I know we are all on the same side but I bet the Germans don’t like that…lol.
When it comes to national defence no talk about not being in Eurozone.
The US will be upset again..
They expect all NATO countries to buy from them, and, Turkey was the last one in trouble when they bought Russian equipment so let’s see what they say about this.
Excellent. HMG should pull its scrouge finger out & defend the UK too with them. If Anyone lobbed missiles at the UK we’ve little to stop them.