Poland’s defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak said Friday that the first PILICA anti-air missile and artillery system (PSR-A) has been handed over to the 3rd Air Defense Missile Brigade.
The system was developed to respond to a request from the Polish Armed Forces. The PILICA system consists of 6 air-defense fire units including artillery tractors, a command station, a radar station, 2 transport vehicles, and 2 ammunition vehicles.
Each air-defense fire unit of the PSR-A PILICA system consists of two 23 mm caliber cannons and two GROM/PIORUN anti-aircraft missile launchers. Each set has its own optoelectronic head with a thermal imaging camera and laser rangefinder.
This configuration provides the PILICA system with the ability to perform autonomous operations, but also to operate within an integrated, multi-layered anti-aircraft defense as a very short-range system. According to PGZ Group, the integrated computer system ensures high target detection and identification effectiveness.
PSR-A PILICA will work with command and anti-air defense systems of NATO countries, and its purchase will be yet another step towards reinforcing Poland’s anti-air defense capabilities.
