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// DOSSIER — mbda-inaugurates-industrial-facility-poland-support-air-defense
MBDA Inaugurates First Industrial Facility in Poland to Support Air Defense
REL_TIME: 09 Sep 2026 00:12Z · LANG: EN
European missile manufacturer MBDA has formally opened its first industrial facility in Czosnów, Poland, situated less than 20 miles northwest of Warsaw. The site functions as a service and technology center dedicated to supporting the Polish Armed Forces, primarily providing direct maintenance, support, and training for the multi-billion-dollar PILICA+ short-range air defense program while advancing domestic engineering and technological collaboration.
// Background
Poland and the UK concluded a $2.4 billion deal for the PILICA+ short-range air defense system, an acquisition program designed as the inner layer of Poland's integrated air defense architecture alongside the mid-tier NAREW and upper-tier WISLA systems. The baseline PILICA system combines command elements, radar, and fire units with twin 23mm cannons and Piorun missiles, whereas the enhanced PILICA+ configuration incorporates CAMM missile iLaunchers, Bystra radar, and the Zenit-MP+ automated command system. Deliveries to the Polish Army are managed through an agreement between the Polish Armament Agency and the PGZ-PILICA+ consortium.
// Key Developments
- MBDA opened its first industrial site in Poland comprising two buildings totaling nearly 3,900 square meters in Czosnów.
- The facility features offices, laboratories, storage, and a warehouse hall adapted to service multiple PILICA launchers simultaneously.
- The site currently employs 11 Polish staff members, with workforce expansions planned for late 2026 and early 2027 to add engineering and technical support.
- The center serves the PILICA+ short-range air defense acquisition program, which forms the inner tier of Poland's integrated air defense network.
- Opening ceremonies included senior defense and diplomatic officials from Poland, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
// Timeline
-
First production PILICA system is delivered to the Polish Army at the 34th Air Defense Missile Squadron in Bytom under a 16-system contract.
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MBDA formally holds the opening ceremony for its Czosnów industrial service and technology center.
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MBDA plans to expand the Polish engineering and technical support team at the Czosnów facility.
// Perspectives
[MBDA]
Views the facility as a strategic commitment to Polish security and an avenue to integrate Polish engineers into European complex weapons development while shortening maintenance turnaround.
[United Kingdom Ministry of Defence]
Emphasizes that reinforcing Poland's sovereign air defense capabilities directly bolsters overall NATO readiness and secures industrial jobs across both countries.
[MBDA Poland Leadership]
Focuses on operational readiness, local staffing growth, and providing infrastructure for joint UK-Polish technical integration and launcher servicing.
// Quotes
“As we further strengthen our partnership with Poland, our brand new facility will offer wide ranging employment opportunities for Poles, including engineers. It will also allow them to work on cutting edge European complex weapons technology. This new site will not only serve as a service centre but as a hub of technical innovation, that helps to ensure top-tier engineering talent is developed and maintained in Poland.”
“At a time when Europe faces its most serious security challenges for generations, the opening of MBDA’s new site demonstrates that the relationship between our two nations has never been more important. Stronger Polish air defences means stronger NATO air defences, and that work is taking place while also backing jobs in both nations.”
“Currently, 11 people from the Polish team are employed there, exclusively from the Polish team. The team will expand in late 2026 and early 2027, primarily by adding engineering and technical support to support all tasks and to ensure that the specialists and technicians from the UK responsible for the launcher can travel and have a suitable place to work.”
