Mariusz Błaszczak made the announcement during a visit to Powidz Base on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The defence minister, who is also a deputy prime minister, arrived at the facility alongside the US ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski.
Błaszczak and Brzezinski visited Powidz Base to outline plans for its expansion under the 2020 Polish-American Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the PAP news agency reported.
New helicopter hangars, warehouses, fuel storage facility
The Powidz complex is set to be equipped with air base facilities and a large fuel storage facility, the PAP news agency reported.
The Polish defence minister told reporters: “This is another meeting that results in the launch of a new investment project for the US forces, namely for the US Combat Aviation Brigade, which is stationed here in Powidz with the Apache attack helicopters.”
Błaszczak added: “In the following years, we will build a base with hangars and warehouses, as well as a fuel store, to enable the Apache helicopters to operate out of Powidz in support of Polish and NATO forces.”
Błaszczak noted that in June construction began on a new ammunition depot in Powidz. He told reporters that the base “constitutes a military complex designed to support Polish troops and NATO forces stationed on the eastern flank of the alliance.”
Błaszczak said he was grateful that “the Polish-American military cooperation is developing so dynamically” and thanked “everyone who contributed to the growth of the American base in Powidz.”
He added: “I hope that the next time we visit, Ambassador Brzezinski and I will admire the progress in the projects we have started.”
Meanwhile, Brzezinski described the expansion of the Powidz base as a "milestone" bolstering security and stability in the region.
Brzezinski said that US, Polish and NATO armed forces would be ready and equipped to respond immediately to any threat, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wnp.pl