WARSAW, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Patriot air defence system in Poland has reached full operational readiness, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced Thursday.

The American-made Patriot air defense system is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept and destroy threats like aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. It is notably used in Ukraine to defend against Russian attacks.

Kosiniak-Kamysz inspected the 37th Air Defense Missile Squadron in Sochaczew, central Poland, on Thursday. It is the first unit in the Polish Armed Forces equipped with the Patriot system. He said it is a major milestone in the country's defence program.

According to local media, the Patriot system is considered the core of Poland's Wisla program, the top tier of its air defense systems. Poland signed its first Patriot contract in 2018, valued at about 4.75 billion U.S. dollars, with deliveries completed in 2022.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Thomas Rose, who also attended the inspection, said that Warsaw would become the first city fully protected by the Integrated Battle Command System.

Kosiniak-Kamysz added that Poland will receive an additional 48 Patriot launchers between 2027 and 2029. ■