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U.S. defense contractor catalyzes technology transfer to Poland
Jan 25, 2005 5:10 PM 

Lockheed Martin has signed a contact with the Polish government, paving the way for the transfer of technology to a Polish weapons producer. In accordance with the agreement valued at $876 million; the Norwegian company, Nammo, will supply Polish arms producer, Z.M. Mesko, with technology for weapons production at no charge and in addition will make a monetary investment in new equipment. Lockheed Martin is financing Nammo's investments in Mesko and has played a mediating role between the Norwegian and Polish companies.

"We are very happy about this agreement," says Mesko's CEO, Piotr Mazurek, "for it will open up new opportunities for us and enable our company to enter new markets."

This agreement comes about in fulfillment of an accord between Lockheed Martin and the Polish government that goes back to 2003. For then it was agreed that in return for the purchase of 48 F-16 fighter planes from Lockheed Martin, the U.S.-based company would, by 2013, transfer technology and investments to Mesko with a combined value of least $7.5 billion.

The program is to run for 10 years. Other U.S. corporations have also pledged to play a role in expanding Poland's technological infrastructure. For instance, General Motors will enlarge a plant in Gliwice, Poland, and Motorola will invest in a state-of-the-art communication system for Polish public services.


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