On Monday, May 12, 2025, in Skarżysko-Kamienna, at the Mesko facility — part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken. The defense ministers of both countries signed a letter of intent on military cooperation.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
“We are at Mesko in Skarżysko-Kamienna, at Polish defense industry facilities. Minister Francken is changing Belgium’s position in the field of armaments, in terms of readiness for action. I see great momentum, a revival of cooperation between Belgium and Poland, but also with all of our allies. I see Belgium playing a greater role within NATO and the European Union when it comes to defense and security,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz after his meeting with the Belgian Minister of Defence.
“Poland is purchasing a great deal of equipment — we are modernizing our armed forces and undergoing a transformation process — but we also want to manufacture and support our allies. We want to sell our best equipment, and the Piorun system is the best. Pioruns have proven themselves in Ukraine with their effectiveness — one hundred percent efficiency. They are very highly rated and are an outstanding product of the Polish defense industry, produced by the Polish Armaments Group. That’s why I am very pleased that today the Kingdom of Belgium will be safer. From today on, it will be equipped with the best gear manufactured in Poland, and thanks to that, our entire Alliance will be more secure. (…) Every piece of equipment we purchase and invest in works for our citizens, for our countries — but it also works for our allies, and I am very proud of that,” said the Minister of National Defence during the meeting.
During their discussion, the defense ministers addressed the issue of bilateral military cooperation, collaboration within the EU and NATO, as well as matters related to continued support for Ukraine. They also agreed to pursue deeper military cooperation in light of current challenges in security and defense policy. This commitment was reflected in the signing of a letter of intent on military cooperation.
“The letter of intent we signed concerns the purchase of Piorun systems — around 200, between 200 and 300 sets — which Belgium will acquire. It also involves the exchange of experience. We will benefit from the expertise that Belgian pilots have already gained in operating the F-35, since we are acquiring the same version, with the same configuration. Let me remind you that the first Polish F-35s are already flying — for now, in the United States. That is where our pilots are training, just like Belgian pilots. We will be exchanging experience, and we will also be sharing insights on how to operate various types of equipment that we are purchasing from our friends in the United States,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
Representatives of the MILMAG Editorial Team present at the meeting asked about the details of the agreement, particularly the timeline for signing the contract for the Piorun man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the timing of the contract is up to Mesko and the Belgian Ministry of Defence — according to him, it is a matter of the coming weeks. He also noted that the company plans to surpass 3,000 employees, thanks to the construction of a second production line for the Piorun MANPADS.
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, one that is actively engaged and part of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ focused on stabilizing the situation in Ukraine. We view our role as providing infrastructure support, acting as a logistics hub, and as a nation continuously safeguarding NATO’s eastern flank. I told the Minister about what’s happening on the Polish-Belarusian border — about the threats and the growing tension there. About the attacks targeting Polish soldiers, Border Guard officers, and police officers. This migration route is being orchestrated by the regimes in Belarus and the Russian Federation. It is being used for destabilization, and for launching attacks. Those who attempt to illegally cross the border are being prepared for such actions and behaviors by Belarusian or Russian services,” added Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Photo Gallery of the Polish Ministry of National Defence (Master Corporal Wojciech Król/MOND):
