UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak have signed a statement of intent to partner on Poland’s future air defence system.
Dubbed NAREW, the future ground-based air defence system is expected to be worth multi-billion pounds.
The agreement, which is the first for the UK-Poland relationship, is aimed at improving the security and defence development of the two nations.
It will see the two nations share advanced technologies to develop the NAREW defence system.
Wallace said: “This agreement will deliver a step change in our defence co-operation with Poland and paves the way for our militaries to operate even more closely.
“Britain and Poland have historically stood side by side against a range of threats and will continue to deepen our partnership.”
MBDA UK’s common anti-air modular missile (CAMM) family has been selected for the NAREW programme.
Capable of flying at supersonic speeds, CAMM missiles offer a high probability of destroying modern air threats, including stealth jet and high-speed missiles.
Each CAMM family supersonic missile is installed with an advanced active radar seeker, which can detect the smallest, fastest and stealthiest targets in any kind of weather conditions.
MBDA UK managing director Chris Allam said: “MBDA is delighted to be playing such a leading role in the UK-Poland defence partnership.
“This agreement endorses the deep relationship we have formed with Poland’s Ministry of National Defence and Polish industry and is underpinned by the nature of our unprecedented technology co-operation and transfer proposal for NAREW and Polish Air Defence.
“In choosing MBDA, and the CAMM family, Poland will receive the benefits of a true European missile partnership, the latest capabilities, and the ability to secure and develop highly skilled jobs in its defence industry.”
According to the UK Government, both Poland and the UK are investing in upgrading mutual capabilities and modernising the British Armed Forces.
