Poland signs for AARGM-ER missiles for suppression/destruction of enemy air defences

The AARGM-ER will afford the Polish Air Force a deep suppression/destruction of enemy air defences capability out to ranges in excess of 200 km. (Northrop Grumman)

Poland has signed for the Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) for the suppression/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD).

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz signed the contract on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence (MND) in Warsaw on 28 January, some nine months after the US government approved the sale in April 2024 of 360 missiles for approximately USD1.275 billion.

“The purchase of AGM-88G missiles results from the need to ensure the capabilities of the air force in the field of combating radar systems and enemy air and missile defence, as well as maintaining air superiority and an appropriate level of security of air operations of the Polish military aviation. The range of destruction of ground targets is over 200 km,” the MND said.

The MND did not disclose the precise number of missiles procured, but said that it was more than 200 and that the contract value was USD745 million.

The AARGM-ER builds on the baseline AGM-88E AARGM, which was itself a development of the Raytheon AGM-88B/C High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). This latest extended-range missile utilises the same sensors, warhead, and a modified version of the AGM-88E's common control section attached to a new rocket motor and airframe. While the current AGM-88E AARGM Block 1 has a stated range of more than 60 n miles and an engagement speed of Mach 2+, details of the expected range increment and engagement speed of the AARGM-ER have not been disclosed.