The UK and Poland have announced a new Warsaw Defence Plan to coordinate work on next-generation air-defence missiles, drone and counter-drone technologies, and large-calibre ammunition production. The plan is the first phase of cooperation under the countries’ new Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, according to the UK Ministry of Defence announcement.
The agreement is a cooperation framework rather than a disclosed procurement award. The ministry did not identify a contract value, production quantity, supplier delivery schedule or acceptance milestone for the new missile and ammunition work. It said BAE Systems and Poland’s PGZ will expand large-calibre ammunition production capacity and capability, while the two governments pursue closer defence-procurement coordination.
The plan also calls for joint development of drone and counter-drone technologies aimed at threats to civilians and critical infrastructure, along with cooperation on cyber resilience, frigate programmes and defensive maritime activity in the Baltic Sea. The countries will continue participating in exercises including Steadfast Defender, Polish Dragon and Joint Warrior, the ministry said. Defence Industry Europe reports that the plan also includes education, training and workforce mobility between the two defence industries.
The announcement links the new coordination to an existing procurement: Poland’s purchase of the Narew air-defence system from MBDA UK. That earlier deal provides an example of bilateral industrial and procurement cooperation, but the documents do not state that the Warsaw Defence Plan itself places a new Narew order or commits a defined number of missiles.
The ministry said the two countries are planning a major Coalition of the Willing exercise in Poland next month involving thousands of personnel. That exercise is a planned readiness activity, not evidence that the new missile, drone or ammunition capabilities have entered operational service.