UK and Poland to work together on 'future complex weapons' development
The UK and Poland are to work together on future defence equipment following the signing of two major agreements.
Poland's military capability will be enhanced by the UK, strengthening the defence relationship between the two countries.
At the Zamosc Military Base in Poland today, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak signed an Air Defence Complex Weapons Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This agreement enables the two nations to cooperate in the development and manufacture of current and future complex weapons, strengthening a relationship built through the Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty (2017).
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.
Mr Wallace highlighted the "close defence alliance" with Poland that has stood for more than150 years, going on to express that "as we face the threat from Russia, we need the equipment and the capabilities to safeguard our people and preserve European stability".
He added: "Our new agreements demonstrate that commitment and the UK's support for Poland's defence modernisation plans."
The two ministers also agreed on a new working group, which will explore the potential for the UK and Polish armed forces to co-operate on the development of a Future Common Missile, although requirements for the missile are still in development.
Following the signing, the Defence Secretary met UK personnel deployed in Southern Poland operating Sky Sabre Air Defence systems and Challenger 2 tanks.
During his trip to Poland, Mr Wallace also attended the Warsaw Security Forum where he took part in the future of the Transatlantic Alliance panel discussion.
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