Saab Inks RBS15 Mk3 teaming Deal with MESKO

Defence and security company Saab has signed a teaming agreement with the Polish defence company MESKO, a member of Polish Armament Group (PGZ), for the long-term maintenance and support of the Polish Navy's RBS15 Mk3 surface-to-surface missile system.

Contracted in 2006, the RBS15 Mk3 is in service on-board the Polish Navy's Orkan-class fast attack craft. The teaming agreement, which was signed in September at the International Defence Industry Exhibition, in Kielce, Poland, is a long-term agreement with the goal to strengthen the co-operation between Saab and MESKO.

It is also to establish a centre of maintenance and support in Skarzysko-Kamienna, Poland for the RBS15 missiles, which in turn will increase the efficiency of the RBS15 Mk3 maintenance for the Polish Navy.

"We are pleased to announce this important co-operation agreement with MESKO, providing the Polish Navy with an increased ability to maintain their RBS15 Mk3 missiles for many years to come. With this agreement, we strengthen our footprint in Poland and we see a great future for the RBS15 Mk3 missile system," says Jason Howard, head of Saab Poland.

"This agreement guarantees that both companies are committed to joining together their capabilities to ensure fruitful and effective collaboration within the framework of the Polish Naval Programs, ie, Czapla, Miecznik, and Slazak or other PNPs. This action will helpfully meet the needs and expectations of the Polish government and ultimately contribute to the country's security. This is also an opportunity for our company to become a part of Saab's global supply chain," said Dariusz Szlafka, member of the Management Board and production director of MESKO SA.

The RBS15 Mk3 is the most modern surface-to-surface missile system available on the market. As a long-range system, it excels as the main anti-surface armament for any type of naval vessel. It is designed to operate in a diverse range of scenarios, from anti-ship engagement in blue to littoral waters as well as to land attack missions. The RBS15 Mk3 allows for true fire-and-forget operability in all weather conditions, thanks to its advanced pre-launch programmable active radar seeker. The missile is jointly produced and marketed by Saab, Sweden and Diehl BGT Defence, Germany.

MESKO SA is one of more than 60 companies of the Polish Armament Group (PGZ SA), which is one of the largest defence industry holding companies in Europe.