British and Poland sign defence deal

The UK will enhance Poland’s military capability, following the signing of two major defence equipment agreements.

The UK Government have confirmed the following key points.

• Defence Ministers sign agreement to work closely on Air Defence Complex Weapons
• UK confirms long-term support for Poland’s rapid air defence modernisation programme following the first delivery of Narew
• Nations agreed to collaborate on Poland’s procurement of three Arrowhead-140 frigates

According to a statement:

“At the Zamość Military Base in Poland today, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed an Air Defence Complex Weapons Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This enables the UK and Poland to cooperate in the development and manufacture of current and future complex weapons, further strengthening the relationship built through the Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty (2017) and deepening the interoperability of our Armed Forces.”

The Ministers also signed the Arrowhead-140 Statement of Intent which provides a framework for the UK Government and The Government of Poland to collaborate on the procurement and operation of three Arrowhead-140 frigates. The Polish Frigates will be a variant of the Arrowhead-140, known in UK service as the Type 31 Frigate.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was quoted as saying:

“I’m delighted to be in Zamosc today with my friend and close defence partner Marius Balszczak. We have had a close defence alliance with Poland for over 150 years and as we face the threat from Russia, we need the equipment and the capabilities to safeguard our people and preserve European stability. Our new agreements demonstrate that commitment and the UK’s support for Poland’s defence modernisation plans.”