Poland is purchasing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range under a $735 million contract with the United States, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Tuesday. The ministry said the JASSM-ER’s range is about 1,000 kilometers.
Deliveries are set to take place in two to four years. “This is strategic equipment for the Polish air force that changes our position and our capabilities in the airspace, deterrence and defense,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
Reuters reported that the missile purchase announcement follows an agreement for the U.S. delivery of a $960 million airspace reconnaissance system for monitoring Poland’s northeastern boundary. According to the report, Poland is allocating about 4 percent of its gross domestic product to defense in 2024.
According to the Associated Press, Poland is the top NATO member in terms of its percentage share of GDP for military spending.
The U.S. Department of State approved in March the sale of JASSM-ER, comprising 821 missiles, with an additional 745 Advanced Medium-range Air-to-Air Missiles also okayed for delivery to Poland. Lockheed Martin is the JAASM contractor while RTX supplies the AMRAAM.