Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak arrived at the Land Forces Training Centre at Biedrusko in the west of the country around noon on Friday, news outlets reported.
They met with Polish soldiers and a group of American troops helping train Poles to operate Abrams battle tanks that the country has bought from the United States, according to officials.
Addressing the servicemen, the Polish prime minister said: “I would like to extend my best wishes to all the soldiers who are here today, but also to all the troops serving on Polish soil. Merry Christmas and thank you. We think about you with gratitude, because you make our borders secure,” as quoted by the state news agency PAP.
He went on to say that, despite Russia’s assault on Ukraine, “Poland is safe because we can rely on two solid factors - international alliances with the strongest army in the world and constant, systematic and very rapid strengthening of the Polish army.”
Morawiecki added: “We are embarking on a very rapid modernisation of the Polish army. We must have an army so strong that it does not have to go into the field at all, because it will have sufficient deterrence potential.”
He noted that “the headquarters of the American troops for Poland and the entire eastern flank of NATO will be located in Poznań” in Poland's west.
“This is very important because it will increase security and bring peace to this part of Europe," Morawiecki said.
Poland in April signed a USD 4.74 billion deal to buy 250 new Abrams tanks from the United States in what officials hailed as a key step in boosting the country’s defences amid Russia's war against Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the US Department of State approved the sale of 116 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks and related equipment to Poland for an estimated cost of USD 3.75 billion, according to officials.
Friday is day 303 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, polska-zbrojna.pl