Lithuania has signed a key agreement together with Poland, Estonia and Norway. Yesterday, Vice Minister of National Defence Monika Koroliovienė paid a visit to a MESKO factory in Poland for a signature of a Letter of Intent on acquisition of the Piorun short-range system.
The anticipated acquisition of the short-range man-portable missile system would be paid for through the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). Common procurement of weaponry are vital for, among other things, integration within the EU and standardization of weaponry, as well as cost-effectiveness and strengthening defence capabilities.
“We are getting an opportunity to be among the first to receive one of the most state-of-the-art air defence systems shortly, a priority purchase, through cooperation with Poland,” said Vice Minister M. Koroliovienė.
The Armament Agency under the Ministry of National Defence of Poland will lead negotiations with Mesko on behalf of all four countries in the joint procurement procedure.
Vice Minister M. Koroliovienė also discussed bilateral cooperation with Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence of Poland Pawel Bejda. They underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation, strategic partnership and defence industry cooperation between the two countries.
