The head of the Ministry of National Defense: Belgium will buy between several hundred sets of lightning
Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Monday that together with the Belgian defense minister Theo Francken signed a letter of intent regarding the purchase of Belgium between 200 and 300 Piorun anti-aircraft sets. The start of work on a new defense cooperation agreement was also agreed.
On Monday, the ministers of the defense of Poland and Belgium met at the Mesko plant in Skarżysko-Kamienna in the province. Świętokrzyski, where manual anti -aircraft sections are created.
“The letter of intent we signed concerns the purchase of lightning sets-about 200, between 200 and 300 sets that Belgium will acquire, but also exchange of experiences. We will use the skills that Belgian pilots have already purchased in supporting F-35, because we buy the same versions, just as configured versions of F-35,” said Kosiniak-Kamysz. As he pointed out, Polish and Belgian pilots are currently training on new machines in the USA.
We are expanding cooperation with Belgium🇧🇪! Signed today by the Belgian Minister of Theo Francken, a letter of intent #LIGHTNING This is proof of our consistent work and cooperation for the security of our countries and … pic.twitter.com/wnqbjpezfi
-Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@kosiniakkamysz) May 12, 2025
The ministers also agreed to start work on a new defense cooperation agreement that will replace the agreement in force for 30 years. “In the near future we will sign a new version, enriched with the threats that are today, and the experiences we have from our cooperation,” said the deputy prime minister.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that Poland and Belgium connect, among others A similar assessment of the role of the United States in Europe and the need to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities. “And we with the Minister think similarly about the role of the United States in Europe (…), we have in fact the same opinion about help for Ukraine, support for those who also fight for our security”-noted Kosiniak-Kamysz.
During a visit to Mesko, the head of the Ministry of National Defense also referred to the development of the production of lightning sets. “Recently, the plants in Mesko celebrated 3000. The generated lightning set. (…) We are increasing production capacity, the work on lightning in version number 2 is advanced. The individual elements are already prepared, now you have to assemble it into one whole,” he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also emphasized the importance of arms plants in Skarżysko-Kamienna for state security. “Employment increases, at the end of this year the number of employees in Mesko should exceed 3,000. We will invest here and in Kraśnik,” he announced.
“Belgium returns to the right track,” said Belgian defense minister Theo Francken during the briefing.
“Belgium intends to invest again in its defense. We will raise our level. We will reach 2 percent, we will have greater abilities and cooperate with a strong country, a strong nation, which is Poland-in many matters: F-35, MQ-9B (an unmanned aerial system, will allow you to obtain illustration diagnosis data), lightning, but also in many other issues.
Speaking of lightning produced in Mesko, he emphasized that this is “the best equipment in the world.” “We believe in NATO, but we also believe in European cooperation. Poland has always been a very strong partner of Belgian defense and Belgium,” said Francken.
In an interview with the Belgian Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, he also raised the topic of hybrid threats on the border with Belarus. “Threats are growing. I talked about attacks on Polish soldiers and border guards.
The deputy prime minister also reminded about the setting of a shopping center in Warsaw last year, pointing to connections with Russian special services. “The trail leads to the Russian Federation (…). In Europe we are dealing with attacks, sabotage, attempts to destabilize,” he said.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense also marked the importance of Poland as a partner in the European defense policy. “We see our role as a supporting state, which is part of a coalition of willing related to the stabilization of the situation in Ukraine. We are a logistics hub and a state that protects NATO's eastern flank,” he said.
Skarżysko Mesko is a producer of ammunition belonging to the Polish Armaments Group, including rocket shells. He has its troops in Pionki, Kraśnik, Bolechów, and Lubiczów. Mesko is a supplier, among others Anti -aircraft portable lightning rocket sets, already exported, among others to Norway or Ukraine. Mesko is also a supplier of 155 mm artillery ammunition for the Polish Armed Forces (PAP)
WDZ/ MML/ MHR/
