The British Embassy in Warsaw and the British Polish Chamber of Commerce have jointly named Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and BAE Systems as recipients of the “British-Polish Collaboration Award,” recognising the two companies for an industrial partnership delivering outcomes for Polish national and European security, according to the company.
The award, launched in 2025, is intended to mark contributions to the trade and investment relationship between the two countries, with winners chosen by a jury drawn from senior figures at the Embassy and the BPCC. PGZ and BAE Systems were honoured specifically for their work on the production of 155mm artillery ammunition, an effort that combines British technical input with Polish manufacturing to expand domestic output in Poland.
The recognition follows a defence partnership agreement signed by Poland and the United Kingdom in London earlier in the week, deepening ties that have grown steadily as both governments have prioritised closer security cooperation across Europe.
Dame Melinda Simmons DCMG, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Poland, said “The economic partnership between the United Kingdom and Poland is stronger today than ever before. The second edition of the UK–Poland Business Awards demonstrates how dynamically and on multiple fronts our cooperation is developing — from growing direct investment and trade to joint initiatives in energy transition, new technologies, and security. The recipients of these awards perfectly illustrate the ambition and potential of our cooperation.”
The 155mm round has become one of the most sought-after munitions in Europe since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with allied states moving to rebuild stockpiles and lift production rates that had fallen during decades of lower demand. Poland, which shares a border with both Ukraine and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has undertaken one of the largest military expansions on the continent over the same period.
Miroslaw Janicki, Director of BAE Systems Poland, said “We are honoured to be recognised in such a positive way alongside our friends at PGZ. As Poland’s proven defence partner, BAE Systems remains dedicated to the mission of helping to ensure national security through the provision of 155mm artillery ammunition in great quantities and high quality to meet our nation’s objectives.”
The two firms entered into a strategic partnership in September 2025 to build a new 155mm artillery ammunition manufacturing facility in Poland. According to the company, that arrangement also opens the door to wider collaboration on a broader range of munitions and components, alongside the manufacture of energetics, supported by knowledge and technology transfer between the partners.
Adam Leszkiewicz, President of the Management Board of PGZ S.A., framed the arrangement as a two-way exchange. He said “We are delighted that the British Embassy and the BPCC appreciate the collaboration between Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and BAE Systems, as evidenced by today’s award. This is an example of collaboration with a foreign partner – on the one hand, we are benefiting from BAE Systems’ vast experience and know-how, and on the other, we are opening a path to the British market, where we can introduce our explosives production technologies. I am confident that this collaboration will continue to develop in a direction beneficial to both sides and, above all, the Polish Armed Forces and the Polish defence industry.”
