The Polish Army will be equipped with 18 mobile systems to interfere with satellite navigation. According to the agreement signed present at the Armed Forces Agency, the equipment codenamed "Heliotrop" will be supplied by the Czech company URC Systems. The contract value is PLN 18 million gross. Supplies are scheduled for 2026–2027.
“The kits bought present are a large solution that will let our soldiers to build their capabilities regarding electronic combat,” said Brig. Gen. Artur Kuptel, Head of the Armed Forces Agency. Distortion systems satellite navigation the code name ‘Heliotrop’ is to be provided by the Czech military company URC Systems spol. s.r.o. As the Head of the Armed Forces Agency added, akin equipment is utilized by Russia against Polish military and civilian systems, among others. – Now we will be able to answer them the same – emphasized General Kuptel.
The signatures under the contract for the acquisition of the Heliotropes were made by Colonel Robert Fromholz, Deputy Head of the AU, and by the Czech company Anna Dvořáčková. “We must keep up with the changing requirements of the battlefield, so we constantly improve our systems,” said Filip Boleloucký, Head of the Commercial and Marketing Department of URC Systems. He besides added that this is the second product of the company bought by the Polish army. In 2019 in relation to PKW Lebanon mission electronic combat equipment has been contracted.
Today's agreement worth PLN 18 million gross concerns 18 mobile systems to interfere with satellite navigation. As part of the contract, soldiers will be trained to operate equipment. The Army will besides receive spare parts and method documentation. transportation of Heliotropes is scheduled for 2026–2027. The military will usage them as part of an electronic battle, including disrupting the global satellite navigation systems of the opponent, as well as its drone guidance systems. The acquisition by armed forces of specified sets will increase the ability to combat unmanned systems and will impede the operation and maneuvering of opposing forces.
The Heliotrop programme was launched at the end of November 2020. A tender in this case was announced by the then Inspectorate of Armed Forces of the MON (replaced in 2022 by the Armed Forces Agency). The first interest was expressed by 7 performers. However, the final offer was made by 2 companies: the Czech URC Systems spol. s.r.o. and the Polish Sp. z o.o. GISS. The criteria for selecting the offer were price and warranty period. The Czech company's proposal received a full of 90,5 points, while the GISS – 37,3 points per 100 possible.
URC Systems specializes in the manufacture of radio designation systems and portable surveillance systems that are based on vehicles or operate stationaryly.
