Mariusz Błaszczak signed the seven deals at the annual International Defence Industry Exhibition in the southeastern Polish city of Kielce, state news agency PAP reported.
Seven contracts for EUR 630 mln
The defence minister, who is also Poland’s deputy prime minister, hailed the contracts as “a good investment in the security of our homeland.”
The deals are worth PLN 3 billion (EUR 630 million), officials said.
“This is advanced equipment that guarantees the growth of the potential of the Polish armed forces,” Błaszczak told reporters.
He noted that the ordered equipment is produced domestically.
“Through the strength of the Polish arms industry, we can ensure a strong position of the Polish army,” the defence minister said.
Artillery reconnaissance vehicles, trucks, drones
Błaszczak on Tuesday approved a PLN 1.6 billion (EUR 340 million) deal for 30 Rosomak artillery reconnaissance vehicles, to be delivered between 2024 and 2026.
He also signed a PLN 880 million (EUR 186 million) deal for 549 Jelcz trucks, to be supplied between 2023 and 2027.
In addition, the deputy PM inked a PLN 50 million (EUR 10.6 million) deal for the development of Gladius-2 reconnaissance and attack drones, to be carried out between 2022 and 2026, among other contracts.
Meanwhile on Monday, the Polish defence minister signed a PLN 3.8 billion (EUR 800 million) contract for the purchase of 48 Krab self-propelled gun howitzers and 36 accompanying vehicles, to be delivered within two and a half years.
Tuesday was day 195 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, defence24.pl