Air Defence and Frigate Programmes Inked

UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, signed an Air Defence Complex Weapons MoU in Poland on 4 October, and the Arrowhead-140 Statement of Intent, which provides a framework for the two governments to collaborate on procurement and operation of three Arrowhead-140 frigates.

The signing took place alongside a ceremony marking the first delivery of air defence equipment, Narew, to Poland, produced in partnership between MBDA UK and Polish industry. The complex weapons MoU provides British support for the Narew short-range air defence programme, a key component of Poland’s rapid air defence modernisation programme, enabling further co-operation agreements in the future. Through the MoU, the two nations will strengthen industry and government links, and support Poland in establishing sovereign capabilities for missile manufacture, providing a framework for industrial cooperation and co-development.

“To deliver Small Narew to Poland in such an extremely short timeframe is a remarkable achievement, and we’re proud that this has been accomplished through our very close partnership with Polish Grupa Zbrojeniowa and thanks to strong support from the UK government […] Today’s agreements launch the next step in Polish-UK missile co-operation, and [underpin] the PGZ-MBDA technology transfer proposal on Narew, while also supporting Pilica+, Miecznik, Tank Destroyer, and other vital projects,” commented MBDA UK Managing Director, Chris Allam.

The ministers also agreed a new working group, to explore potential for development of a Future Common Missile. Though requirements for the missile are still undefined, it is envisioned to be a medium-to-long range, surface-launched missile for land and maritime environments, probably a development of the CAMM family.