Belgium and Poland are going to collaborate more intensively in the field of Defense: Army buys 140 million euros in Polish immune missiles
Defense minister Theo Francken (N-VA) and his Polish official Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. – © EPAFE
Belgium and Poland want to further expand their military cooperation. Defense minister Theo Francken (N-VA) and his Polish official Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz have signed a so-called letter of intent. Our country buys ‘light’ anti -aircraft missiles from Poland for 140 million euros.
According to the Francken cabinet, the declaration of intent is two shutters: on the one hand on strengthening the air defense capacities, on the other hand on a reinforced air force.
With regard to that first part, Belgium and Poland will share information and organize joint training and training courses for the use of their husband Portable Air Defense Systems of Manpads. These are light, fired anti -aircraft rackets that can be used against enemy drones, helicopters and low -flying aircraft. « We buy missiles, launchers and simulators, good for an amount of around 140 million euros, » says Francken. « The Polish defense industry develops and produces these systems entirely on European soil. We further strengthen European strategic autonomy, » said the Defense Minister.
A Ukrainian soldier with a (American) manpads on the shoulder. – © Getty Images
With a view to a reinforced Air Force, Polish pilots will now have access to Belgian simulators of the F-35 fighter plane. In addition, the Belgian and the Polish Air Force will also study the possibility of organizing joint training courses and the Belgian Defense will share experiences regarding the MQ-9B, an unmanned reconnaissance and attack aircraft. In exchange, Poland will lend medium -range missiles of the Amra to Belgium type, pending new deliveries.
« Poland has invested heavily in his defense capacities in recent years and today spends more than 4.6 percent of his GDP on Defense, » says Francken. « By strengthening our cooperation with Poland, we can develop capacities faster and increase our readiness. This way we strengthen our European interoperability and improve European defense cooperation. Many talk about it but we do it, » he makes himself strong.
