Poland and UK intend to co-operate on Narew air defence programme

Wallace and Błaszczak signed a statement of intent on 18 November to co-operate on Poland's Narew ground-based SHORAD system. (Polish MND)

UK defence secretary Ben Wallace and Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed a statement of intent on 18 November to co-operate on Poland's Narew ground-based short-range air defence system (SHORAD), their two ministries announced on their websites the same day.

Błaszczak said Poland's Armament Inspectorate (AI) had recommended the MBDA Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) for the Narew programme, adding that the statement of intent “opened the way for the implementation of the Narew programme”. He hoped “that further negotiations related to the signing of licence agreements and executive contracts will proceed quickly”. Janes understands that MBDA is willing to provide access to any source codes necessary to plug CAMM batteries into Polish national air defences. Wallace said the programme would be delivered in co-operation with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).

The UK Ministry of Defence anticipates a multi-billion-pound budget for the programme.

Wallace said the statement of intent would pave the way for the Polish and UK armed forces to work even more closely.