Soldiers of the 18th Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Zamość have received the first short-range anti-aircraft system as part of the ‘Little Narew’ project. The delivery of the first launcher equipped with British CAMM missiles and the approval of the framework agreement for the ‘Pilica’ system were held in the presence of Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

The British Defence Secretary said at the press conference that Poland and the UK have been very close allies for over 150 years.

“That is why it is obvious that we want to face the threat from Russia together, that is why we are working so closely together strengthening each other and guaranteeing each other’s security”, Wallace stated.

Minister Błaszczak said that the contract approved on Tuesday for the development of the ‘Pilica’ system represents a significant strengthening of the defence capabilities of the Republic of Poland. The contract envisages Poland acquiring 21 batteries, which will include sets manufactured by the Mechanical Plant Tarnów equipped with British CAMM missiles – the same as in the sets of the Little Narew project.

During the conference, the head of the Polish Ministry of Defence spoke about cooperation with the United Kingdom, manifested in the stationing of the UK armoured forces on Polish soil, and about other projects concerning the navy.

“We are jointly building frigates, which will create the Polish Navy. We are also cooperating when it comes to engineering forces. This is a whole complex of capabilities that we are developing thanks to our Polish-British cooperation, and the aim of this cooperation is to ensure security on the entire eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance’, noted Minister Błaszczak.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński