European missile-manufacturer MBDA, one of two finalists for Poland's Wisla missile defense program, is expanding cooperation with local companies.

Letters of intent were signed earlier this week with MESKO and PIT-RADWAR, confirming its willingness to pursue cooperation with Polish industrial organizations involved with the Polish Air Defense consortium.

The collaboration would include a transfer of technology.

"In the LoI with MESKO, MBDA is proposing to its Polish partner to expand cooperation on Aster 30 B1 missile equipment, but also to be involved in the development of the new Aster B1NT missile," MBDA said. "The scope of cooperation starts from the production of main equipment for the missiles and continues through to the final assembly line.

"Key advanced technologies such as warhead, booster and servo-actuators will be transferred to our Polish partners, as well as missile maintenance and training."

Poland's Wisla project is for the building of a medium-range missile defense system. At least eight sets of intercepters would be involved in the program, which carries a value of about $5 billion.

Raytheon and its Patriot system has achieved finalist status in the contract competition, as has Eurosam's SAMP/T air defense system, which uses the MBDA's Astor 30 missile.

MBDA is the majority shareholder in Eurosam, together with the Thales Group.

MBDA said its letter of intent with Poland's PIT-RADWAR includes a high degree of Transfer of Technology and Transfer of Know How on both Aster 30 Block1 and Aster 30 Block1 NT missile uplink receiver equipment.

The LoI with PIT-RADWAR, includes a high degree of "transfer of technology and transfer of know-how on both Aster 30 Block1 and Aster 30 Block1 NT missile uplink receiver equipment," MBDA said.