Poland boosts air power with $1.33B US (1.84B CAD) missile deal
The US State Department has approved the sale of 400 medium-range AIM-120D air-to-air missiles to Poland for up to $1.33 billion (1.84 billion CAD), as reported by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
According to the statement, Poland is set to purchase 400 AIM-120D3 AMRAAM missiles with a range of up to 112 miles, along with 16 guidance sections and other related equipment. The Pentagon estimates the price at $1.3 billion (1.84 billion CAD).
Poland to buy 400 air-to-air missiles from the USA
The decision was also announced on the X platform by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
"The strategic cooperation between Poland and the USA yields results – the latest air-to-air missiles will be delivered to our Air Force! The US State Department has just approved Poland's purchase of 400 of the latest AIM-120D3 rockets. Their range reaches up to 112 miles. This is another step in the major modernization of the Polish Armed Forces," assessed the Deputy Prime Minister.
As stated in the DSCA communiqué, the purchase of the missiles is intended to "improve Poland's ability to face current and future threats by providing air defence to protect Polish and allied armed forces during a transitional period or in combat. It will also significantly increase Poland's contribution to meeting NATO requirements."
This is yet another batch of aerial ammunition purchased by Poland from the USA. A year earlier, the Ministry of National Defence signed a contract for an unspecified number of older versions of the same missiles, AIM-120C, for $850 million (1.1 billion CAD). These missiles are to serve as ammunition for Polish Hawks, i.e., F-16s. Additionally, Poland ordered 800 air-to-ground JASSM missiles with a range of nearly 621 miles for a maximum price of $1.7 billion (2.3 billion CAD), and 232 short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air tactical missiles for up to $219 million (302 million CAD).
