On May 12th this year in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister, met with Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defense. The Polish and Belgian defense ministers signed a letter of intent on military cooperation.

 

- Poland buys a lot of equipment, we are modernizing our armed forces, conducting a transformation process, but we also want to produce and support our allies. We want to sell our best equipment, and the Piorun missiles are the best equipment. The Piorun MANPADS have proven their effectiveness in Ukraine, with 100% efficiency. They are highly regarded and are an excellent product of the Polish defense company – the PGZ. That's why I am very pleased that today the Kingdom of Belgium will be safer. From today on, it will be enhanced with the best equipment manufactured in Poland, and thanks to this, our entire Alliance will be safer. (…) Every piece of equipment we purchase and invest in, works for the advantage to our citizens, for our countries, but it also works for our allies, which I am very proud of – said the Minister of National Defence during the meeting.

 

During the discussion, the defense ministers discussed bilateral military cooperation, cooperation within the EU and NATO and topics related to continued support for Ukraine. They also agreed to engage in further, deeper military cooperation that addresses current challenges in security and defense policy, as evidenced by the signed letter of intent on military cooperation.

 

- The letter of intent we signed concerns the purchase of Piorun MANPADS – approximately 200, between 200 and 300 MANPADS, which Belgium will acquire. It also concerns the exchange of experiences. We will benefit from the skills already acquired by Belgian pilots in operating the F-35, as we are purchasing the same versions, the same configured versions of the F-35. As a reminder, the first Polish F-35s are already flying – for now, in the United States. Our pilots are training there, just as Belgian pilots. We will be exchanging experiences, but we will also be exchanging experiences in using various types of equipment that we purchase from our friends in the United States - emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister.

 

During the meeting, the Minister of National Defence also addressed issues related to the war in Ukraine and the situation on Poland's eastern border.

 

- Poland sees its role as a supporting country, a part of the process, a part of the 'Coalition of the Willing' related to stabilizing the process in Ukraine. We see this role as providing infrastructure security, as a logistical hub, and as a country that continuously protects NATO's eastern flank. I told the Minister, I spoke, and I informed him about what is happening on the Polish-Belarusian border, about the threats, about the tension that is constantly increasing there. I talked about the attacks that are occurring on Polish soldiers and Border Guard officers, on police officers. This migration route is being prepared by the regimes in Belarus and the Russian Federation. It is used for destabilization, it is used for attacks. Those who illegally attempt to cross the border are being prepared for such actions and behavior by Belarusian or Russian services - added Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz.

 

Krzysztof Marwicki, Member of the Board of MESKO S.A.: “Today's meeting not only confirms the strategic importance of MESKO S.A. in Poland's security system, but also sends a clear signal that our technology is recognized internationally. We are proud that PIORUN MANPADS – the result of the work of our engineers and designers – has become a symbol of effective Polish engineering. The signing of the intergovernmental letter of intent at our company's headquarters and the expression of interest by the Belgian government in purchasing PIORUN MANPADS strengthen MESKO's position as a credible and reliable trading partner in the global market. I thank the entire team for their daily efforts in building the MESKO brand and strengthening the Polish defense industry.”

 

Marcin Ożóg, Member of the Board of MESKO S.A.: "The visit of the Belgian Minister of Defense in MESKO and the signing of the letter of intent is an event of enormous significance – both for our company and the entire Polish defense industry. The PIORUN MANPADS is one of the most sought-after and proven products in the defense market today. Its effectiveness on the Ukrainian front and the trust of other countries confirm that MESKO provides the best technological solutions in its class. We thank the government authorities for their trust and support. We also thank our employees, because without them, the company would not have achieved this position and spectacular success. This is not just a business – it is a real contribution to European security."

 

Photo: MESKO S.A., Ministry of National Defence