Polish army expects US Patriot interceptor deliveries to be delayed
General Ireneusz Nowak, Poland's operational commander, said on Monday, 12 October, that US deliveries of Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors will be late. The Baltic states face the same delays, and HIMARS contracts are also uncertain.
Patriot interceptors face delay
General Ireneusz Nowak, operational commander of the Polish Armed Forces, told a panel at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, 12 October, that deliveries of PAC-3 MSE missiles for the Patriot air defence system will be delayed. Asked whether Poland expected delays on contracts with the United States, he said it now appeared that Poland, like the Baltic states, would be affected. His remarks were reported by Reuters, which quoted him.
Commitments elsewhere drive the slowdown
Nowak attributed the delays to US commitments in other theatres of armed conflict. He said the effect was very visible for the PAC-3 MSE missiles, whose delivery will certainly be delayed. Reuters had already reported in April that US officials told some European counterparts that certain contracted weapons deliveries could slip as the war with Iran depletes stocks.
Other contracts at risk
Nowak said he was not certain whether contracts for HIMARS systems would be fulfilled on time. He added that the situation will affect the implementation of other agreements, and that further delays are likely for orders that are already planned and contracted. He also said the Baltic states face the same delays as Poland.
