Poland's defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak on Thursday signed a Plan of Technical Modernisation of Polish Armed Forces for years 2021-2035. The plan assumes spending a total of 524 billion zlotys - in 2025 spending on modernisation are to equal 24 billion zlotys, and 50 billion in 2050.
At a ceremony in Wesoła, in the base of the 1st Armoured Brigade, the minister stressed that security is priceless. According to Błaszczak, "it's an absolute necessity to provide sufficient budget and create effective mechanisms, which would allow us to complete the technical modernisation of the Polish Army, fit for the 21st century".
He argued that the government has done a lot to modernise the army in the last four years. He mentioned, among other things, purchase of PATRIOT missile system, HIMARS rocket launchers, and helicopters manufactured in Mielec and Świdnik.
"I'm fully aware that the process of modernisation must be smoother, more effective, and above all efficient - that's why my key decision was to extend the planning proces from 10 to 15 years," said the minister.
Błaszczak reminded that in July, 2018, President Andrzej Duda signed a resolution regarding main areas of Polish Armed Forces development and national defense for years 2021-2035, and that the government has already adopted detailed plan of restructuring and modernisation of the army for the abovementioned period.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP