WARSAW, Poland, July 7, 2021 – Polish involvement in production of PAC-3 MSE missiles has taken a big step forward with the delivery of equipment that will help establish a production line for key missile launch assemblies at WZL1.
A filament winding system, used to produce launch tubes, a key component of Poland’s next-generation air and missile defense system, has been delivered from its German manufacturer by leading aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin. The PAC-3 MSE missile is a precision munition system and will be a vital element of Poland’s future missile defense.
It will be the first manufacturing equipment to be installed in a new 3,000 sq meter launch tube production hall built by WZL1, for the purposes of the Wisla program among others, that is nearing completion in Deblin. This facility will have the capacity to produce up to 150 launch tubes each year. A critical component of the missile defense system, launch tubes are the primary structural housing for PAC-3 MSE missile and the interface between the missile and the launcher system itself.
“This exciting new project is just one of 15 we are establishing with Polish businesses as a direct result of the Polish government’s selection of our PAC-3 MSE missile to defend its citizens against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft,” said Robert Orzylowski, Lockheed Martin director Poland and CEE.
“It is a key milestone that evidences not only our ongoing commitment to grow meaningful relationships with Polish companies but also the strength of the relationship we have with the Polish Ministry of Defense.”
WZL1 and Lockheed Martin began working together in 2018 as a direct result of an industrial partnership agreement signed between the Polish State Treasury and the US-based defense company.
The PAC-3 MSE missile, uses a unique ‘hit-to-kill’ capability that detects, tracks and intercepts threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft using direct body-to-body contact. Poland and 10 other nations have selected the PAC-3 MSE missile interceptor.
Lockheed Martin has been a trusted partner for Poland’s national defense, industry and economy for more than 20 years. In the past 10 years the company has invested US$1.8 billion in Poland. Today, its operations in country sustain 6,700 high-value Polish jobs, of which 1,700 are with aircraft manufacturer PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company and one of Poland’s leading defense exporters.
Part of Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), WZL1 is one of the leading aerospace companies in Europe with involvement in state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions. It provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and upgrade services for helicopters, major overhauls for aero engines, services for commercial aviation and is involved in composite structure manufacturing, production of wire harnesses, electroplating, painting, non-destructive testing, commercial and many other services.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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For further information please contact:
John Neilson +44 0 207 979 8075; john.neilson@lmco.com
Arek Protas +48 606 779 116; arek.protas@prct.pl