Poland and Slovakia are taking decisive steps to bolster their defense collaboration, as evidenced by the signing of a memorandum of intent on February 24, 2025. This agreement, made during a meeting between Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák, focuses on four key areas aimed at enhancing military capabilities.
The first area of focus is the procurement and interest from Slovakia concerning Poland’s Piorun air defense systems, proven effective on the battlefield, particularly during the conflict in Ukraine. Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting, “This is our export product, which has performed exceptionally well under combat conditions.”
Secondly, the agreement addresses joint efforts to increase ammunition production capacity, with special attention on 155 mm caliber munitions. “Slovakia has substantial production capacity—some of the largest globally, not just in Europe,” underscored Kosiniak-Kamysz. This collaboration aims to utilize Slovakia’s manufacturing strengths to benefit both nations’ defense needs.
Thirdly, the two countries plan to explore joint production of armored wheeled vehicles based on Poland's Rosomak model, incorporating the Turra 30 turret system built by Slovakia. “This is about merging the industrial capabilities of Poland and Slovakia and selling such armored vehicles to third-party markets,” the Polish Deputy Prime Minister highlighted.
The final area involves Slovakia's interest in the Polish-Korean K2 tank's localized version. “This is a very important element. It should provide significant momentum for the Polish defense industry,” Kosiniak-Kamysz remarked, stressing the urgency of collaborating with South Korea to initiate production.
Notably, during their discussions, both leaders also touched upon issues surrounding the Territorial Defense Forces and the security of their shared borders. Kosiniak-Kamysz revealed plans for General Krzysztof Stańczyk to soon visit Slovakia to discuss building territorial defense and exchanging security experiences. “We believe we can share our experiences effectively,” he said.
The intergovernmental talks included discussions about regional security concerns, emphasizing the necessity for cooperation between the two neighbors. “It's significant for us to work with Slovakia and our ally. Our good relations are important to unify NATO and the EU and strengthen the eastern flank of NATO,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated.
Highlighting Poland's role as a strong leader in defense, Kaliňák indicated Slovakia's willingness to adopt good practices from Poland’s defense policies, particularly referring to the dual funding for defense development as noteworthy examples. “These are excellent models we want to learn from and implement back home,” he noted.
Both ministers agreed on the necessity for self-sufficiency not only militarily but also industrially. Kaliňák asserted, “We must develop our capabilities so we can supply all military units in case of conflict.”
This memorandum is seen as pivotal, especially following significant European developments, including the current war dynamics witnessed in Ukraine. Strengthening ties between Poland and Slovakia is expected to serve as a pillar for enhanced security across the region. Kosiniak-Kamysz concluded, stating, “Our nations enjoy mutual friendship, and we are moving to higher levels of cooperation focused on security, which is our absolute priority.”
With the endorsement of this memorandum, both countries are poised to advance their collaboration, signifying not just strategic military alliances but also fostering diplomatic relations within the framework of NATO and the EU.