Poland opens new centre built with UK expertise to strengthen nation's air defences

A new defence centre built with UK expertise has been opened in Poland, enabling support and training for Warsaw's Pilica+ programme. 

The Pilica+ programme is a multibillion-pound project building an integrated air defence network with the UK to defend Poland's skies.

The centre will also help reinforce Nato's eastern flank against Russian aggression.

• New UK-Poland treaty to focus on defence against Russia, Warsaw's prime minister says
• Air raid shelters, submarine deals and new tanks: How Poland's preparing for war
• Let's be honest – Russia is well ahead of Nato, says former CIA station chief

Defence Readiness & Industry Minister Luke Pollard, who described Warsaw as a close friend and trusted ally, joined the Polish deputy minister of national defence, Paweł Zalewski, to open the MBDA missile logistics facility in Czosnów. 

"At a time when Europe faces its most serious security challenges for generations, the opening of MBDA’s new site demonstrates that the relationship between our two nations has never been more important," Mr Pollard said. 

"Stronger Polish air defences means stronger Nato air defences."

UK personnel will work alongside their Polish counterparts at the site to help protect Poland's airspace. 

While in Poland, Mr Pollard will visit MSPO, central Europe's largest defence show, where 38 UK defence companies are showcasing their technologies.

London and Warsaw currently collaborate on the Narew programme, worth over £4bn, which will deliver more than 1,000 air defence missiles and more than 100 launchers to Poland, helping the country build its own sovereign missile manufacturing capability. 

There is also the Miecznik programme, in which the UK is co-creating three Arrowhead-design frigates, similar to the Type 31s for the Royal Navy. The first arrowhead entered the water last month. 

"Our site in Czosnow is evidence of how MBDA, as a strategic partner to governments, is helping deliver national sovereign capability, and by extension, facilitating cooperation and supporting the security of Nato partners," said MBDA UK managing director Chris Allam. 

The UK signed a defence and security treaty with Poland in May to bolster collective defences, through which the countries will develop and manufacture next-generation weapons including air defence effectors.