Poland aims to spend 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence in 2023, the leader of Poland's ruling PiS party Jarosław Kaczyński said at the start of a debate in parliament on Thursday around a bill to boost defence spending.
Poland's lower house of parliament - the Sejm - on Thursday began a debate on the government draft legislation on national defence. The plan assumes increse in spending on army development and defense to 2.3% of GDP in 2023 (instead of 2024 like it was initially planned), and 2.5% in 2024 (rather than in 2030).
"There will be an amendment (to the defence plan): 3% of GDP on defence next year, then we will increase it," Jarosław Kaczyński told the lower house of parliament.
He added that the part of spending earmarked for military equipment purchase would be covered through loans and bonds that could later be written off.
Poland has in past years spent 2% of GDP per annum on defence, in keeping the NATO requirement, planning an increase up to 2.3% in 2023.
If adopted, the new legislation would become effective starting July 1, 2022.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24