News item | 07-07-2025 | 17:00
The Netherlands and Poland want more collaboration in the defense area. That is why Defense Minister Brekelmans and his Polish colleague Kosiniak-Kamysz signed one Memorandum or understanding (Mou). That happened today in Warsaw, Poland, under the watchful eye of the Prime Ministers and the Polish Tusk.
The renewed MOU must strengthen the tires in the defense area between the Netherlands and Poland. The previous edition of the agreement dates from 1993.
In terms of content, it concerns various things. It has been agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the Netherlands and Poland through joint training and equipment projects, but also in the field of logistics. The Netherlands and Poland are both important transit countries for NATO. The MOU also offers tools to jointly determine and put annual plans into practice.
Minister Brekelmans speaks of an important step: “Poland is an important partner in the EU and NATO context. The country is precursor when it comes to strengthening the armed forces. They have really taken big steps. The Netherlands can take an example of this. By strengthening cooperation we can both accelerate this process.”
Defense industry
The Eastern European country has produced much more equipment in recent years, including tanks and combat vehicles. The country works closely with partners, including South Korea. Poland also works on 3 ammunition factories. Poland wants to produce 150,000 grenades annually.
Poland not only produces on a large scale, but also contributes to safety in Europe through the support it offers to Ukraine. That makes mutual cooperation even more important for the Netherlands.
Line of defense
Brekelmans also visited a training location of Eastern Shield. The purpose of this is to deter Russia in the north and Belarus on the east side. Eastern Shield Become a corridor with a length of 700 and a depth of 40 to 50 kilometers. In addition to electronic means for investigation and protection, it consists of obstacles, storage options and shelters.
Minister Brekelmans was impressed by what he saw there: “They immediately feel the threat here, because neighboring countries Russia and Belarus only increase the threat.” Eastern Shield is an important line of defense towards Russia for the entire NATO alliance, including the Netherlands. That is why it is good that we work so closely together. “