The Ukrainian and Polish defense-industrial complexes are deepening integration processes under the auspices of their governments. This is highlighted by the results of the Polish delegation's visit to Kyiv.
In particular, as reported by the Polish Ministry of Defense, during the visit led by Deputy Minister of Defense Cezary Tomczak, two documents were signed concerning cooperation between Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (one of Poland's largest defense industry associations) and Ukrainian defense-industrial unions.
The first agreement is a memorandum between PGZ and State Enterprise "Ukroboronprom," which expands industrial cooperation and was signed under the auspices of the Polish Ministry of Defense and the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industries.
It is important to note that a number of joint Ukrainian-Polish defense projects were initiated after 2014, and they significantly expanded and deepened following the full-scale Russian invasion. In particular, in 2023, it was reported that major repairs of T-64 tanks were carried out in collaboration with PGZ at the Bumar-Łabędy plant, as well as joint production of ammunition.
It should be noted that PGZ, which comprises over 50 companies, is responsible for the development, modernization, maintenance, and production of various types of weapons and military equipment.
This includes air defense systems, with domestic projects such as Pilica and Piorun MANPADS, the production of armored vehicles, for example, the wheeled infantry fighting vehicle Rosomak, artillery systems like the self-propelled mortar Rak, assault rifles Grot C16, and much more. Thus, there is indeed ample opportunity for collaboration.
The second agreement was made with the National Association of Defense Industry Enterprises of Ukraine (NAUDI), which unites private arms manufacturers, and the Military Technical Institute of Armaments WITU (Wojskowego Instytutu Technicznego Uzbrojenia), a research institution of the Polish armed forces. This institution not only analyzes but also independently develops weapons, particularly in the field of ammunition.
"We believe that the production and research potentials of Poland and Ukraine can complement each other and contribute to better equipping our armies," stated the Polish Ministry of Defense.