“Poland gave us systems with which Ukrainians use Soviet missiles to knock down Iranian drones launched by the Russians. Thank you, Polish brothers!" - Writes the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, on social media about the crews trained in Poland and using Polish equipment. This is another proof that the equipment was delivered" quietly."
Equipped with Polish equipment and trained in Poland, an anti-aircraft squadron knocked down 9 out of 11 Iranian Shahed-136 drones that were in its field of operation.
It can be assumed with a high degree of probability that Ukraine received at least one squadron from Poland armed with Osa-P launchers, and their crews underwent comprehensive training in Poland. It is all the more likely that the role played by these sets so far, i.e. the direct defense of the units in the standstill and on the march, will be gradually taken over by the Narew sets.
The Polish launchers were upgraded to the Osa-AKM-P standard. Their radar stations were modernized, optoelectronic heads with thermal imaging cameras and video trackers were installed, as well as new means of communication. A number of analog elements were also replaced with digital ones. This significantly improved their combat capabilities, including allowing them to fight targets based on passive sensors. However, the armament of the Osa-AKM-P launcher is still the original Soviet command-guided missiles, which means that they can only destroy one target at a time.
Modified launchers can use ammunition from both Polish and Ukrainian stocks. The Ukrainian army can also use the ammunition obtained from the enemy because the Osa systems are still in the service of the Russian army and were obtained during the war together with the ammunition.
