Poland interested in training its air force pilots in Israel

Poland is interested in training its air force pilots in Israel, the country's defense minister said this week. Aleksander Marek Szczyglo was here this week to sign an expanded military cooperation agreement with Israel.

"It's a practical agreement," Szczyglo stressed in an interview to Haaretz.

In 1994, after diplomatic relations were renewed between Israel and Poland, the countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation. Szczyglo noted that the Polish Air Force had purchased F-16 fighter aircraft from the United States and was interested in training its pilots in Israel, where they could take advantage of the experience and reputation of the Israel Air Force.
Another area of cooperation between the countries is the fight against terrorism. "Israel has much experience in fighting terror and our army and security forces are interested in holding joint training in various areas including the war against terror," Szczyglo said.

Szczyglo was appointed defense minister last month. He previously served as chief of staff to Poland's president, a ministerial-level position. This is his second visit to Israel. His first was a few months ago, with President Lech Kaczynski.

According to Szczyglo, bilateral relations are excellent in all areas. "In the past several years, Poland has represented and expressed Israeli interests without reservation in the European Union, and that is not something that can be taken for granted," he said.

In recent years, Rafael Armament Development Authority won two military procurement contracts worth about $3.5 million from Poland. In 2003, it signed a contract to provide Spike anti-tank missiles, part of the Spike family of missiles. In 2005, a second contract was signed, for the sale of remote controlled weapons stations and day/night vision systems.

In return, as part of reciprocal purchase agreements between the countries, Poland sold Israel various products for its military and civilian industries. "We are willing to consider purchasing additional military equipment and weapons from Israel if they meet NATO standards," Szczyglo said.

Another area in which Israel and Poland cooperate closely is intelligence. When he was asked whether Poland was aiding Israel in this area, in light of fears about Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, the Polish defense minister said: "This is something we don't need to discuss."

Szczyglo refused to express an opinion on U.S. intentions to deploy missile defense systems on Polish (and Czech) territory, saying only, "Russia knows very well that these systems are aimed not against it but rather against missile threats from other countries. We want to have good relations with Russia. In my opinion, the Russian opposition to the deployment of these defensive systems is rooted in Russian domestic politics and the expectation of elections in the country next year, including presidential elections," Szczyglo said.
Source: By Yossi Melman, haaretz.com