Mateusz Morawiecki made the statement at a meeting with soldiers in the southeastern town of Hrubieszów on Friday, the prime minister’s office said.
The prime minister told the audience: “In the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we realise the Polish army needs to be modernised and equipped with weapons. This year, we are spending four percent of GDP on the development of the Polish army. In 2024, we’ve earmarked 4.2 percent of GDP for this purpose.”
He noted Poland was among NATO’s top defence spenders and the country’s total defence spending in the period 2021-2035 would reach PLN 524 billion (EUR 113.7 billion).
Earlier this week, Morawiecki announced that the government had earmarked PLN 850 million (EUR 184.5 million) for the arms maker Bumar-Łabędy, based in the southern city of Gliwice.
The prime minister said on Friday: “Our Polish arms makers produce modern military equipment that meets the highest standards. We are also securing new orders in European countries and from other continents. The latest acquisition for the Polish army are the US-made Apache helicopters. Poland will buy as many as 96 of these machines. “
Morawiecki stated: “In the event of a potential attack, the Polish army must be strong…. During our Law and Justice party’s eight years in power, the number of soldiers in the Polish army has increased from 95,000 to some 175,000.” The prime minister stressed that “Poland is secure” and that “the security of the Polish people is a top priority” for his government.
In April 2022, Poland adopted its flagship homeland defence law, designed to modernise and expand the country's armed forces into one of the strongest in NATO, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the PAP news agency reported.
Under the law, the Polish army is set to be increased to about 300,000 troops, including 250,000 career soldiers, according to officials.
Friday is day 562 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
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Source: PAP, gov.pl