MBDA UK has signed a 4-billion-pound ($4.89 billion) transfer of technology contract to accelerate Poland’s NAREW air defense program.
NAREW seeks a next-generation mobile defense system to intercept advanced and future airborne threats beyond 40 kilometers (25 miles).
For the agreement, MBDA will relay critical technologies and knowledge to the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
This approach will enable the government to produce over 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missile – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and more than 100 iLaunchers for its armed forces.
Boosting UK-Poland Cooperation
The contract is part of ongoing UK and Polish military cooperation to bolster their air defenses against evolving adversaries by 2030 while enhancing each country’s industrial base.
In 2017, MBDA and PGZ signed a strategic partnership agreement for the area of missiles and associated systems to support the governments’ objectives.
“This is another crucial step forward for our historic defence ties with Poland, supplying next generation air defence capabilities to act as a clear deterrent to our adversaries,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated.
“We continue to fully back our thriving UK defence industry, and this landmark export deal is yet another example of the huge potential our collective defence sectors boast.”
Progress in NAREW Program
Earlier this year, PGZ signed a 1.9-billion pound ($2.4-billion) deal with MBDA to begin the NAREW program’s initial missile and launcher deliveries.
Simultaneously, the British and Italian governments announced support for Poland’s CAMM-ER missile production.
PGZ also partnered with the US Department of Defense to integrate America’s Integrated Battle Command System into the NAREW program.
“The scale and ambition of NAREW is truly impressive – building a Polish air defence shield using our CAMM family missiles and iLaunchers that will protect the entirety of Poland’s skies,” MBDA CEO Eric Béranger stated.
“The transfer of technology in NAREW will be transformative for Poland’s sovereign complex weapons capabilities, and we are deeply proud of the trust placed in us by Poland and excited for the future of our partnership with the eleven members of the PGZ-NAREW Consortium.”