Poland takes EIB loan to finance its part of European Sky Shield
European Investment Bank (EIB) will grant Poland a EUR 300 million loan to finance its part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, the so-called Iron Dome, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.
A deal between the EIB and Poland as regards financing of the Polish satellite system, implemented in cooperation with France, was signed on Monday, he added.
"The plan to build an iron dome over Poland and Europe has moved one step forward," Tusk said after signing the deal.
He added that satellite and reconnaissance systems will be an essential part of this project.
According to Tusk, the presence of the European Investment Bank in this project "cannot be overestimated."
"Today we can count on very cheap, favourable loans for investments that will serve civilian tasks and at the same time support our defence and security," Tusk said after a meeting with the EIB president, Nadia Calvino.
Calvino said that the EUR 300 million loan for the Polish satellite programme is part of EIB's new action plan for security and defence.
A German initiative, Sky Shield is a project to build a ground-based integrated European air-defence system. Some 21 countries are now participating in the programme. (PAP)
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