Poland is seeking to expand defence cooperation with the Philippines following the completion of a major Black Hawk helicopter deal, with Warsaw looking to offer additional military equipment to Manila.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski said Warsaw was interested in developing further defence partnerships with the Philippines as Poland invests heavily in expanding and modernising its defence industry.
The Philippines completed delivery of its final seven S-70i Black Hawk helicopters in August, bringing the total delivered under its 2022 agreement with Polish manufacturer PZL Mielec to 32 aircraft. The contract was worth about US$509.6 million.
Bartoszewski said Poland could offer Manila a wider range of defence equipment, including reconnaissance and combat drones, radar systems, anti-aircraft missiles and armoured personnel carriers. A Philippine military delegation had recently visited Poland to examine potential equipment acquisitions, he said.
The push comes as Poland is investing nearly US$50 billion in its defence industry and seeking to expand its presence in international defence markets. The Black Hawk programme has given Polish defence companies an established relationship with the Philippine military that could support further cooperation.
The two countries have also begun institutionalising their defence relationship. In July, officials held the first meeting of the Joint Polish-Philippine Defence Cooperation Committee in Warsaw, where they discussed defence modernisation programmes, exchanges of experience and developments affecting security in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Polish officials also presented the Philippine delegation with information about the country’s defence industry.
For Manila, potential cooperation with Poland could provide additional options as the Philippines continues its military modernisation programme. Any future acquisitions, however, would depend on the Philippine government’s requirements, procurement processes and available funding.
Poland’s interest in the Philippines comes as Warsaw seeks to expand defence exports while strengthening its own military capabilities amid heightened security concerns in Europe.
