Poland Seeks Patriot Missile Deal

Polish Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said during a visit to Washington that Poland has proposed trilateral cooperation with the United States and Ukraine to produce missiles for the Patriot air defense system, PAP reported.

She was responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of building a Patriot missile production facility in Ukraine.

Warsaw has proposed locating part of the production in Poland, arguing that it would be safer. It is also seeking to establish a service center for Patriot systems, citing the development of its defense industry and the country's strategic location.

The talks also covered strengthening the US military presence in Poland. According to Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, working groups have already been established on both sides to prepare plans for a new US military base.

The two sides also discussed a further US loan of $4bn to finance Polish purchases of military equipment.

(mja)