Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1517379
COOPERATION The cooperation with South Korea moved into further stages in 2023, as planned deliveries of South Korean equipment for the Polish Armed Forces began. After several months of dialogue with the South Korean counterparts, PGZ concluded documents defining the rules for industrial cooperation with Hyundai Rotem, and Hanwha Aerospace in late February - regarding the planned domestic manufacturing efforts concerning the K-2 main battle tanks, and K-9 howitzer systems. After that meeting Minister Mar- iusz Błaszczak paid a visit to the WZM facility, announcing that this would be the location where the South Korean K-2 main bat- tle tanks would be manufactured, maintained, and overhauled. A month later the PGZ Group, the WZM [Military Automotive Works] facility and the South Korean Hyundai Rotem Company have signed an agreement on the establishment of a consortium that is expected to jointly offer the K2PL main battle tanks and accompany- ing support assets to the Polish Army. The Poznan-based facility has been selected as the maintenance center for the US-made Abrams main battle tanks. A memorandum on that matter was signed with General Dynamics Land Systems, the manufacturer of those main battle tanks. In early April, relevant developments happened in the realm of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation. PGZ and ARTeM signed a mem- orandum of understanding, on manufacturing of the 125 mm tank munitions. The document was signed in the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President. ZM Bumar-Łabędy, meanwhile, started its effort related to an agreement covering the overhauls of the T-64 main battle tanks. A relevant memorandum within that scope was signed with UKROBORONPROM. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation was signed with L3Harris Technologies, during the MSPO event. Its purpose is to cover the development of communication systems for the Polish Armed Forces, and also to bolster the domestic defense industry's C4ISR domain potential. Furthermore, another memorandum was also signed with Javelin Joint Venture, aimed at exploring the possi- ble options, within the scope of creating a final assembly facility, and component manufacturing in Poland. PGZ also launched cooperation with ICEYE, a Polish SAR satellite operator. Based on the memorandum, also involving the WZŁ No. 1 S.A. facility in the role of a party, the companies announced cooper- ation within the scope of preparing a radar satellites constellation for the Polish Armed Forces, along with stationary and mobile ground stations. FB "Łucznik" Radom's MPS modular semi-automatic pistol premiered during the MSPO event this year is another example of a cooperative effort undertaken by the PGZ Group. In late November, the PGZ Group also joined the Brussels-based Aerospace, Security, and Defense Industries Association of Europe. This would allow the company to promote the interest of the defense industry through engagement in dialogue with the EU institutions. Noteworthy, the cooperation launched this year was not limited to foreign entities exclusively. The PGZ Group companies also signed an agreement on strategic cooperation with the KGHM Group companies. The agreement defines the potential areas where joint activities could be undertaken, including projects in the domain of R&D, manufacturing, and commerce. The munitions/missiles sector has been indicated as the key area. Cooperation was also launched with Grupa Azoty, one of the key European manufacturers in the area of chemical/fertilizer products. Not only is the concluded memorandum aimed at developing the technologies, but it also covers the security of industrial capabilities in the domain of R&D and manufacturing. PGZ S.A., along with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna Sp. z o. o. took part in the pilot edition of the IDA Bootcamp accelerator, a part of the "Development of dual-use technologies by the Polish De- velopment Fund". Together with the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Development and Technologies, and Kraków Science and Tech- nology Park, we were seeking security-enhancing solutions, basing our efforts on the potential of startups and civil sector businesses who develop technologies that can be adapted to be used in the de- fense sector. At the same time, the initiative was aimed at stimulating the development of the economy. In late 2023, cooperation was expanded with the Warsaw University of Technology, and the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in War- saw, within the scope of pursuing joint R&D projects. ANALYSIS