US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at the Pentagon on Tuesday to discuss strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.
Hegseth and Kosiniak-Kamysz “signed a Statement of Intent on strengthening of defense industry cooperation that will continue this robust defense partnership,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
Hegseth recognized Poland’s leadership in NATO as Europe assumes primary responsibility for its conventional defense, Parnell said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted Poland’s increased defense spending and expanding cooperation with the US defense industry, including the hosting of a new Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Maintenance Facility and the expansion of production lines, said the statement.
Last month, the Pentagon said the US selected Poland to host a new European maintenance facility for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile systems, a move aimed at strengthening NATO’s air and missile defense capabilities and improving military readiness on the alliance’s eastern flank.
The two officials also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Hegseth reaffirming the US’ commitment to achieving a durable peace, Parnell added.