Poland has signed a $988 million agreement for the acquisition of several hundred PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors for its Patriot air defense systems, further strengthening the country’s layered air and missile defense capabilities.
The contract was signed between Poland’s Armament Agency and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Deliveries are expected to begin in the coming months and continue through 2031.
While the exact number of missiles was not disclosed, the acquisition forms part of Poland’s broader effort to expand the capabilities of its Patriot-based Wisla air defense program. In 2025, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Polish purchase of up to 788 PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors valued at as much as $5.8 billion.
The PAC-2 GEM-T missile is designed to engage a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and older-generation ballistic missiles. With a reported engagement range of up to 150 kilometers, the interceptor will complement the PAC-3 MSE missiles already in service with Poland’s Patriot batteries.
A key advantage of the PAC-2 GEM-T is its lower acquisition cost. The missile is estimated to cost between $2 million and $4 million per unit, compared to approximately $5.3 million for a PAC-3 MSE interceptor. However, PAC-3 MSE missiles offer significantly greater effectiveness against ballistic missile threats and benefit from a higher missile load per launcher.
Currently, Poland’s Wisla air defense system primarily relies on PAC-3 MSE interceptors. The addition of PAC-2 GEM-T missiles is expected to provide greater flexibility and increase the overall number of available interceptors within the Patriot force structure.
Under the two phases of the Wisla program, Poland has planned the acquisition of up to 852 PAC-3 MSE missiles. Earlier plans to procure the lower-cost SkyCeptor interceptor, derived from Israel’s Stunner missile, were ultimately not finalized.
Alternative interceptor options have also been discussed in recent years, including a future CAMM-family missile being jointly developed by the United Kingdom and Poland. However, the proposed CAMM-MR variant remains under development and is not expected to enter service in the near term.
By selecting the PAC-2 GEM-T, Poland gains an interceptor already fully integrated with the Patriot ecosystem and the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), avoiding the technical and operational challenges associated with introducing a new missile type into the network.
The latest purchase underscores Poland’s ongoing investment in air and missile defense as it continues to modernize its armed forces amid an evolving security environment in Europe.