Poland's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin met in the Polish capital on Tuesday for talks focused on strengthening bilateral security ties.
The discussions highlighted shared efforts to strengthen key capabilities, as both governments position themselves at the forefront of Europe’s broader push to modernise its defence posture.
EU SAFE scheme
At their joint press conference, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland intends to work closely with France under the EU’s new SAFE instrument, designed to channel up to EUR 150 billion into strengthening member states’ defence capabilities.
Poland could receive up to EUR 43.7 billion from the scheme, according to the Polish defence minister.
He added that final preparations for Poland’s SAFE submissions are underway, with applications for funding due by November 30.
Among Warsaw’s priorities are airlift capacity and in-air refuelling, areas long identified by military planners as critical gaps, Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters.
He recalled that Poland previously withdrew from a NATO tanker procurement initiative in 2015–2016.
Expanding air mobility, deepening military cooperation
The ministers discussed concrete steps to address these shortfalls, including potential acquisitions and joint exercises.
European aerospace group Airbus, in which France plays a central role, has offered to supply Poland with A330 MRTT tankers and A400M transport aircraft.
The aircraft are already in use in France, Germany, the UK, Spain and by a joint NATO fleet shared by several member states.
"I hope we can soon move to the next stage of these advanced discussions," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
"France’s experience is extremely helpful," he added.
The ministers also discussed next year’s planned joint military exercises and coordination between Polish and French military contingents.
The talks touched on broader defence industry cooperation as well, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that he would soon visit France, accompanied by a delegation from Polish state-owned and private defence companies, aimed at expanding cooperation with French enterprises.
No talks on submarines
Kosiniak-Kamysz also said that Tuesday’s meeting did not touch on Poland's Orka submarine programme.
France is one of several bidders, alongside Sweden, Germany and Italy, seeking to sell Poland new submarines, including the latest Scorpène-class attack subs.
The Polish government is expected to decide on the programme on Wednesday.
"These are important days for Poland's armed forces, both on SAFE and on underwater capabilities--and in both of these areas we can count on France," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
Shared stance on Ukraine
Vautrin, who recently took over as France’s defence minister, praised Poland’s leadership on SAFE during its EU Council presidency in the first half of this year and thanked Warsaw for opportunities to conduct joint training.
She said "a strong eastern flank means security for the entire continent," adding that France "fully recognises Poland’s important role in Europe."
Kosiniak-Kamysz described Poland and France as two key states in Europe’s efforts to build defence and deterrence, citing a bilateral treaty signed in Nancy in May, which includes French security assurances.
"Before, France had granted such guarantees exclusively to its neighbours," the Polish defence minister said.
Both ministers reaffirmed support for Ukraine amid ongoing negotiations over a US-proposed 28‑point peace and security plan, aimed at ending the Russian invasion.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told the news conference that "any peace process must reflect the will of the Ukrainian government and society, and cannot amount to capitulation."
Vautrin echoed this view, saying that Europe’s security depends on the outcome of the war.
Poland and France have intensified cooperation in recent months, particularly within the E5 grouping of Europe’s militarily strongest nations, which also includes Germany, the UK and Italy.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP