Speaking at a news briefing summing up the first phase of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland had secured contracts worth around PLN 120 billion (EUR 28.3 billion, USD 33 billion) with domestic defence manufacturers over a three-day period at the end of May.
The SAFE mechanism provides Poland with up to EUR 43.7 billion in EU-backed low-interest loans to finance defence procurement projects, primarily military equipment purchases.
"We are doing this so that our children and grandchildren will not have to pay for Poland's security with their blood," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "It would be a crime and a betrayal of Poland and future generations not to take advantage of these funds."
Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, was responding to criticism from opposition politicians who have argued that the programme will burden future generations with additional debt.
Under the first phase of SAFE, participating countries were allowed to sign contracts solely for their own armed forces.
Polish authorities said multibillion contracts were signed with domestic manufacturers for infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition, cybersecurity technologies and other military equipment, all scheduled for delivery by 2030.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would now move to the second phase of the programme, which requires joint procurement projects with partner countries.
He predicted growing export opportunities for Polish defence products, including the Piorun man-portable air defence system and the Baobab-K automated mine-laying system, which he said could attract buyers across Europe.
Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, said the programme would help accelerate efforts to close capability gaps that emerged after decades of underinvestment in the armed forces and following substantial military assistance provided to Ukraine.
"The key issue is time," Kukuła said, noting that all contracted equipment is expected to be delivered by 2030.
Among the planned acquisitions are additional Krab self-propelled howitzers, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, air-to-air refuelling aircraft and training helicopters.
'Peace through strength'
Gen. Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of Poland's armed forces, described SAFE as an investment in Poland's security, military credibility and deterrence capabilities.
"The objective is peace through strength," Klisz said. "SAFE is part of that logic."
Officials also highlighted the programme's role in strengthening cyberdefence.
Cyber Defence Forces commander Gen. Karol Molenda said 12 SAFE-financed contracts would support the development of artificial intelligence, cryptography and secure military communications systems.
Government SAFE commissioner Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said Poland had already received an initial advance payment of about EUR 6.5 billion, representing 15 percent of its total allocation.
She said the largest tranche of funding is expected to arrive later this year.
The SAFE initiative provides a total of EUR 150 billion in defence financing across participating countries. Poland is the programme's largest beneficiary.
On May 8, Poland signed a loan agreement with the European Commission under the SAFE framework. The government expects that more than 10,000 Polish companies will benefit from projects financed through the programme.
It was established to help EU countries strengthen their military capabilities amid Russia's war in Ukraine and uncertainty over future US engagement in European security.
The programme also aims to reduce reliance on US-made weapons and bolster Europe's defence industry.
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Source: IAR, PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.