• Defence Ministers sign agreement to work closely on Air Defence Complex Weapons
• UK confirms long-term support for Poland’s rapid air defence modernisation programme following the first delivery of Narew
• Nations agreed to collaborate on Poland’s procurement of three Arrowhead-140 frigates

At the Zamość Military Base in Poland today, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed an Air Defence Complex Weapons Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This enables the UK and Poland to cooperate in the development and manufacture of current and future complex weapons, further strengthening the relationship built through the Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty (2017) and deepening the interoperability of our Armed Forces.

The Ministers also signed the Arrowhead-140 Statement of Intent which provides a framework for the UK Government and The Government of Poland to collaborate on the procurement and operation of three Arrowhead-140 frigates. The Polish Frigates will be a variant of the Arrowhead-140.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

I’m delighted to be in Zamosc today with my friend and close defence partner Marius Balszczak.

We have had a close defence alliance with Poland for over 150 years and as we face the threat from Russia, we need the equipment and the capabilities to safeguard our people and preserve European stability.

Our new agreements demonstrate that commitment and the UK’s support for Poland’s defence modernisation plans.

Today’s signing took place alongside a ceremony marking the first delivery of air defence equipment, Narew, to Poland produced in partnership with MBDA UK and Polish industry.

The complex weapons MOU provides UK support for Poland’s Short-Range Air Defence programme Narew, a key component of Poland’s rapid air defence modernisation programme, enabling further co-operation agreements in the future.

Through the MOU, the two nations will strengthen industry and government links, and support Poland in establishing sovereign capabilities for missile manufacture, providing a framework for industrial cooperation and co-development.

Managing Director of MBDA UK Chris Allam said:

To deliver Small Narew to Poland in such an extremely short timeframe is a remarkable achievement, and we’re proud that this has been accomplished through our very close partnership with Polish Grupa Zbrojeniowa and thanks to strong support from the UK government.

Today’s agreements launch the next step in Polish-UK missile co-operation and underpins the PGZ-MBDA technology transfer proposal on Narew, while also supporting Pilica+, Miecznik, Tank Destroyer, and other vital projects.

The two ministers also agreed a new working group, which will explore the potential for the UK and Polish Armed Forces to cooperate on the development of a Future Common Missile. Though requirements for the missile are still in development, it is envisioned to be a medium-to-long range, surface launched missile that can be used in both Land and Maritime environments and will be a development of the CAMM family of missiles.

Following the signing, the Defence Secretary met UK personnel deployed in Southern Poland operating Sky Sabre Air Defence systems and Challenger 2 Tanks.

During his trip to Poland, the Defence Secretary also attended the Warsaw Security Forum where he took part in the future of the Transatlantic Alliance panel discussion.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin, Executive Chairman of Eco World Development Group Berhad, has been named an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). Liew was honoured for his services to successful regeneration and development projects in the UK and for his contribution to the UK-Malaysia trade and investment ties.

Liew, who was the Chief Executive of S P Setia Berhad, brought together a consortium including Sime Darby Berhad and the Employees’ Provident Fund Board in successfully bidding to redevelop the Battersea Power Station from an electricity-generating station lain dormant for decades into an integrated retail, office, leisure and housing real estate. He was appointed as the first Chairman of the Battersea Project Holding Company in 2012, a position he held until September 2015. Under his stewardship, the Battersea project was the largest ever inward investment from Malaysia into the UK.

Liew also founded EcoWorld International Berhad (EcoWorld International), another prominent property developer in Malaysia. EcoWorld International has over the last decade entered into joint ventures with UK companies Ballymore and Willmott Dixon to deliver large development projects in the UK. Under Liew’s leadership, EcoWorld International has also helped to bring into the UK several new Asian lenders such as UOB and Bangkok Bank, in addition to existing Malaysian banks such as CIMB and Maybank who had been operating in the UK, as well as engaging UK companies in its supply chain procurement contracts.

Reflecting on the honorary award, Liew said:

I am deeply honoured to receive this award and would like to acknowledge the contributions of so many of my current and former colleagues, as well as bankers and business partners, in everything that we have collectively achieved together. I would also like to thank the British and Malaysian Government for their generous and unwavering support when the various projects and ideas for development, inbound and outbound investments were presented to them, which have contributed immeasurably to the success of both the Battersea consortium as well as EcoWorld International today in the UK. This treasured award will certainly motivate me to do more to make a positive difference as we all endeavour play a meaningful role to help make our shared planet a better place.

H.E. Charles Hay, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, congratulated Liew:

I am pleased that Tan Sri Liew has been recognised for his immense contribution to the bilateral trade and investment ties between the UK and Malaysia. The iconic Battersea regeneration development and other projects in the UK that he led, have created huge economic benefits as well as tremendous value in the green and regeneration agenda. His remarkable acumen, vision and determination are attributes admired by his peers and inspirational to others.

Hay will present the honorary award to Liew on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III at a later date.

Liew was also recognised as UK-Malaysia Business Personality of the Year by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce at their inaugural Business Excellence Awards in 2018.

Thank you Mr President.

Thank you Director for your admirably objective update.

Two weeks ago the Commission of Inquiry confirmed that war crimes have indeed been committed in Ukraine, days after the liberation of areas in Kharkiv oblast revealed yet more Russian atrocities.

Last week, President Putin purported to annex four regions of Ukraine – a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and of international law – and then used Russia’s veto to try to avoid the scorn of the Security Council.

Today, you have made clear the horrors and the scope of Putin’s violations of human rights law and international law in the course of his war of aggression.

Hospitals, schools, places of worship destroyed. Millions denied their basic rights to health, education and religion or belief.

Sexual violence and rape, including of children. Civilians shot dead in the street trying to gather fuel, food or medicine.

There are apparently no limits to Putin’s disregard for International Law, or to the Ukrainian people’s unspeakable suffering. And in Russia, those enough to protest the war and mobilisation face arrest and abuse in detention. Aggression abroad, repression at home.

There is one simple way to end the suffering in Ukraine. President Putin: bring your troops home. End the war. Respect the law.

Director,

Faced with Russia’s continued flouting of international law, how can the OHCHR minimise the devastating impact on ordinary people.