Rosomak, Baobab, San system, Turra 30 and ammunition production, especially 155 mm – these are words that were changed by all cases during today's gathering of deputy prime ministers and defence ministers of Poland and Slovakia. Both states have declared that their arms companies want to establish close cooperation. The first contract is due to be concluded in May.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is in Bratislava, where the debate “Polish-Slovak defence dialogue” takes place. “Peace cannot defend itself, peace needs strength,” said the Minister of National Defence, inaugurating the event. He pointed out that the current situation in the planet is difficult, as evidenced by the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the mediate East.
This is why it is so crucial to guarantee the efficiency of defence industries in individual countries. As Kosiniak-Kamysz noted, Poland and Slovakia have a lot in common, for example, experiences from the times of war or communist reality. Freedom didn't come easy. She was won, worked, prayed. Freedom must be respected, independency must be respected, which is why we are here," the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that present Polish and Slovakia's peculiar forces and troops cooperate with each other, both countries form their territorial defence, and the time has come for cooperation in the field of industry. The head of the MON pointed out that companies have been talking for 2 years, but it is now time to take concrete steps.
He said that during bilateral talks with Robert Kaliíček, his Slovak counterpart, was discussed primarily in Poland: SAN system, Rosomacs, Badgers, Baobabs, Lightning, much attention was besides paid to Slovak ammunition production capabilities or Turra Tower 30. He recalled that on 24 February last year both countries have concluded a cooperation agreementNow it's time to cooperate with the companies themselves. “I think May will be a good time to sign circumstantial agreements between companies,” said Kosiniak-Kamish.
During the debate on the Polish-Slovak defence dialogue, the minister explained that cooperation between industries so close to 1 another is crucial due to the fact that they are divided by a tiny geographical distance, which may be crucial if fast deliveries are to be made. He explained that the experience of past years shows that the supply chain may be disrupted in the event of a conflict. “In specified a situation, the division of the planet will become increasingly clear, so deliveries can be postponed,” explained the Deputy Prime Minister.
He added that years ago Europe was based on products outside the European Union, and today's safety situation shows how large a mistake this was. – We must build independency from China, India, all of Asia. We cannot trust that we will be the first recipients of the conflict," said the head of the Polish MON. He explained that this is why it was decided to buy Huta Częstochowa to warrant the availability of steel. “We will either be strong in our own industries or we will not be,” Kosiniak-Kamish noted.
Polish function model
In a akin tone, Robert Kaliíčk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia spoke, stating that Poland had made large advancement in terms of armaments and that it should be utilized as an example. As he said, the first thing that deserves attention is the Rosomaki Vistula, Borsuki and Lightning. – We have besides started supporting industry, and present we see the first results. Slovakia is strong erstwhile it comes to the production of ammunition, detectors, these are areas that have developed in fresh years – he calculated.
As the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister said, the current armed conflicts prove that 1 can have an efficient army, but in order for it to work effectively, it must be equipped with modern weapons. – The quality of the defence manufacture is crucial. Poland and Slovakia want to set an example in this regard," Kaliíčk stressed.
She besides spoke during the event Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Government lawyer for SAFE. She stressed how the European Union's approach on defence issues has changed in fresh years. As she said, Poland and Slovakia have another specializations erstwhile it comes to the production of weapons, which could make a chance to export flagship products.
In the case of Poland it is mainly the SAN strategy or Baobab mine vehicles, while Slovakia has a well-developed ammunition production, especially 155 mm. “We will either take advantage of our opportunities and become a serious player on the market, or individual else will” Sobkowiak-Blackneck said. As she added, she hopes that what both countries will work together will service safety, but besides that she may never gotta prove herself in combat.
The Polish-Slovak defence dialog is organised by the Defence Group24. The event was attended by representatives of the Polish and Slovak defence industry.
