Article Posted on : - Apr 22, 2015

An unrelated file photo.

WARSAW, POLAND (AP): Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski says the defence minister will travel to the US in May to negotiate cooperation on a state-of-the-art missile defence system that Poland wants to build.

Poland is accelerating efforts to upgrade its defence systems and armed forces, spurred by the conflict between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in neighbouring Ukraine.

Komorowski did not specify what technology or hardware Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak would be seeking in Washington.

Poland's government on Tuesday approved development of an own air defence system, proposed after US plans under President George W. Bush to build a "shield" for the region were scaled down by the administration of President Barack Obama.

Komorowski also said that Poland will test Airbus helicopters H225M as it is nearing a large purchase for the Air Force.