The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €300 million loan to Poland’s state-owned development bank BGK to develop and launch two Earth observation satellites, new EIB President Nadia Calvino said on Monday.
The satellites will provide high-resolution imagery for both Poland’s civilian and defence needs, in line with the country’s plan to help deploy an EU air defence system dubbed Iron Dome.
Last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Warsaw’s involvement in developing the satellite-based air defence system is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen defence and deterrence capabilities against Russia and its ally Belarus.
Tusk and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen discussed the European Sky Shield initiative, which Tusk described as an Iron Dome similar to Israel’s, during Mette Frederiksen’s visit to Warsaw last month. Tusk said on Monday:
Creating an iron dome against missiles and drones is necessary. (…) The recent attack on Israel showed how essential such systems are. There is no reason for Europe not to have its missile defence shield.
The EIB-funded project includes the development, assembly, testing and launch of two satellites, as well as the creation of two ground stations to control the satellite and download the images.
The Polish Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and the Polish Space Agency will use the images. The satellites are expected to be operational by 2028.
Calvino, at the EIB’s helm since January, told a press conference:
Our priorities are fully aligned.
Calvino also said:
Poland’s first earth observation satellite system will support a number of initiatives for dual, civil and security use. It follows the launch of the EIB Group’s new Action Plan to step up our support for Europe’s security and defence industry.
The EIB Group’s Security and Defence Action Plan aims to increase investment in the European security and defence sector. The plan includes the creation of a dedicated Security and Defence Unit within the EIB to streamline financial support and expertise, as well as the allocation of €6 billion.
