Belgium and Poland have taken a significant step toward enhancing their military cooperation with the signing of a letter of intent on Monday, signalling closer collaboration in air defence and pilot training initiatives.
The agreement was formalised by Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) and his Polish counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a high-level meeting at the Mesko arms factory in southeastern Poland.
Mesko, a key player in Poland’s defence industry, is responsible for the development and production of the Piorun man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) – a centerpiece of the new deal.
Under the agreement, Belgium is set to purchase between 200 and 300 Piorun systems. These portable systems are capable of intercepting a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and certain types of missiles.
The Polish Ministry of Defence described the Piorun as “battle-tested,” citing their successful deployment and performance in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
“Today’s agreement not only deepens our defence relationship with Belgium but also marks a recognition of the Piorun’s effectiveness and reliability,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated during the signing ceremony.
“These systems are protecting lives and defending democratic values in Ukraine — and now they will contribute to Belgium’s national defence.”
In addition to the air defence procurement, the agreement outlines enhanced cooperation on training, particularly concerning the advanced F-35A fighter jets that both nations have recently integrated into their air forces.
Belgian and Polish pilots are currently undergoing joint training in the United States, part of a broader NATO-aligned effort to harmonise operational standards and tactical proficiency.
“The collaboration on the F-35A platform exemplifies the strategic alignment between our two countries,” Minister Francken remarked. “As allies within both NATO and the EU, it is imperative that we build interoperability not only in equipment, but in expertise and joint readiness.”
The ministers also held bilateral discussions covering broader defence and geopolitical matters, including support for Ukraine, regional security challenges, and cooperation within NATO and the European Union.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank in light of continued Russian aggression.
Monday’s agreement is widely seen as part of a growing European trend of strengthening regional defence partnerships and investing in homegrown military capabilities. For Poland, it also represents another successful export of its increasingly sought-after defence technologies, which have gained credibility in active conflict zones.
For Belgium, the deal marks a concrete step toward modernising its air defence infrastructure, aligning with NATO’s evolving threat assessments and its own national security goals.
The cooperation is expected to continue evolving in the coming months, with further joint exercises, exchanges, and potentially broader procurement and technology-sharing initiatives under consideration.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
