The Polish Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with a consortium of PGZ and Kongsberg companies for the supply of an integrated SAN counter-UAV system. The value of the order is about 15 billion zlotys ($4.23 billion), the start of deliveries is scheduled for 2026, and their completion is expected in January 2028.
One of the SAN system radars:
The unified SAN system will be represented by 18 batteries, which will consist of 18 “command platoons” (kshm, communication nodes, data processing systems) and 52 “fire platoons” (weapons and electronic warfare, local radars; will be able to autonomously detect, classify and destroy UAVs). The entire SAN system will be hosted on 703 machines, including 400 units on the Jelcz platform and 300 on the Igwana chassis.
Igwana with a WLKM machine gun of the SAN system:
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said about the deal:
This is a historical moment. Today we are truly witnessing an absolute breakthrough in terms of the effective and efficient protection of the Polish, European and NATO eastern border.
Electronic warfare complex SKYсtrl of the SAN system:
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh, said:
We are creating another level of air defense along with the Wisłę, Narew, Pilica programs. The total investment in air defense is approximately 250 billion zlotys ($70.47 billion). This is the largest expenditure in the Polish army.
35mm SA-35 SAN system:
The key subcontractor under the contract will be the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems (APS), which will supply optoelectronic sensors, various electronic sensors (including FIELDctrl Ultra and Follow radars), electronic warfare equipment, as well as software and a control system that integrates the work of individual San elements, including the SanView command post, which will be present in each fire platoon.
One of the control options for APKWS SAN system:
The weapons will consist of various types of installations equipped with 35 mm and 30 mm cannons, 12.7 mm WLKM machine guns manufactured by Tarnów, 70 mm laser-guided APKWS guided missiles and kamikaze drones – all produced by APS.
Unlike previous major transactions of the Polish Ministry of Defense, which were concluded with loans, the SAN project will be financed mainly by EU funds as part of the SAFE program for the rearmament of European armies.
