Poland has signed a deal for 28 passive radar sets and 18 optional sets, with first delivery scheduled for 2030.
Poland’s First Acquisition of Passive Radars
The agreement, signed at last month’s MSPO defense fair in Kielce, marks Poland’s first significant acquisition of passive radar systems, with a total value of up to 5.8 billion złoty. The Passive Emitter Tracking (PET) and Passive Coherent Location (PCL) systems will be integrated into the Narew short-range air defense system.
Passive Radar Technology
Passive radars, which are rare worldwide due to their compact and mobile nature, differ from active radar systems by not emitting any signals themselves, instead detecting electromagnetic waves already present in the environment. Poland is only the second country in the world to develop and produce these advanced systems, with the Czech Republic being the first.
System Components and Delivery Timeline
The PET and PCL systems each consist of four large trucks with cabins for operators and two elevated masts for antennas. The first delivery is scheduled for 2030, with deliveries extending until 2038. The Polish Army will initially deploy these systems in support of both the Narew short-range air defense system and Poland’s overall air defense network.
