Poland set for major military upgrade with US arms deals

Poland's Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has said his country is waiting for the "final offer" from Washington on the sale of advanced US missiles, rockets and Apache attack helicopters.

Poland's Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

Kosiniak-Kamysz was speaking after a key meeting at the White House between Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and US President Joe Biden, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Poland's NATO membership.

During the visit of the Polish leaders, the US State Department announced its approval for Poland to purchase a range of weapons including 821 AGM-158B JASSM missiles, 745 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles, and 232 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles.

Właśnie uzyskaliśmy aprobatę Departamentu Stanu USA na zakup lotniczych środków bojowych – pocisków JASSM-ER, AIM-9X i AIM-120C-8 dla 🇵🇱 samolotów. Teraz czekamy na zgodę Kongresu USA i będziemy przystępowali do podpisania umów zakładających dostawę blisko 2 tysiące pocisków. pic.twitter.com/fT6ZonClnE

— Paweł Bejda (@pawelbejda) March 12, 2024

"We are waiting for the final offer," Kosiniak-Kamysz said in an interview with public broadcaster TVP Info on Wednesday.

Szef MON o zapowiedzi sprzedaży przez USA uzbrojenia: czekamy na finalną ofertę#PAPInformacjehttps://t.co/ML1yoS05b0

— PAP (@PAPinformacje) March 13, 2024

On Tuesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed plans for a USD 2 billion loan to Poland intended for the armament acquisition, including a deal to provide 96 Apache attack helicopters—a proposal already approved by the US State Department last year.

Kosiniak-Kamysz told TVP Info that the US offer "means a serious boost" to Poland's military.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP