Photo by PGZ / FrankenburgTech
The Polish state defense company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and the Estonian company Frankenburg Technologies signed an agreement to produce ammunition, including for countering drones, PGZ reported.
The new plant will allow Poland to manufacture inexpensive missiles to counter drones amid growing threats, including due to the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East.
The agreement signing took place in Warsaw on Friday, March 27, with the participation of the defense ministers of Poland and Estonia, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hanno Pevkur. The project provides for the launch of production of very short-range air defense systems, including Mark I missiles designed to destroy drones. The plant’s capacity could reach up to 10,000 missiles per year. According to PGZ, the production capacities are planned to be located in Poland, which is expected to strengthen the country’s and Europe’s defense-industrial potential.
The parties did not disclose the investment amount, the exact location of the facility, or the production launch dates.
“Currently we are considering three locations related to the cooperation. At this stage we cannot provide details. But it will be a new site linked to our operations, and there will be an increase in capacity, this is 100% certain,” said PGZ vice president Marcin Idzik.
The agreement also lays the foundation for developing the next generation of systems – Mark II, which will be able to hit targets at distances of 5–8 km, forming a multi-layered air defense system.
Frankenburg Technologies CEO Kusti Salm stated that the defense sector must operate on an industrial scale to counter “the Russian threat in this part of the world, which each of you feels every day.”
The Polish Ministry of National Defense emphasized that cooperation with Estonia covers the development of drone and anti-drone capabilities, as well as joint exercises and experience sharing.
According to Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland aims to develop its own air defense capabilities while sharing experience with partners.
