The priorities of method modernization are drone troops, long-distance firing capabilities, building anti-surprise and reconnaissance capabilities and multilayered air and rocket defence systems,” says Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.
What did Russian aggression against Ukraine and the war that has lasted for more than 2 years change in the reasoning of Poland, and more broadly the full NATO, about the request to build safety systems?
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz: Poland has long talked about the threat of Russia, although not all European countries shared our perspective. present there is no uncertainty about it. Sweden and Finland, neutral countries, joined NATO. There are more specified changes: the strategical concept of the NATO summit in Madrid in 2022 clearly states that Russia is the biggest threat to the safety of the Euro-Atlantic area and the final papers peaks in Vilnius and Washington this conclusion is confirmed and strengthened. In Madrid and Vilnius, it was decided, among others, to deploy fresh battalion conflict groups on the east flank, to make them to the level of the brigade, to increase the allied presence in NATO waters, to adopt a fresh model of the Alliance's forces, and, above all, to adopt a fresh generation of defence plans, including regional ones, for 3 European theatres of action. The threat of escalation of Russian activities besides forced NATO to modernise the chain of command, improve military mobility, strengthen allied cybernetic protection and energy underwater infrastructure. The integrated allied anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence is successfully developed, through a rotating presence on the east flank of NATO, and running its component in Redikov [on American base].
In Poland, in turn, the Russian invasion illustrated the urgent request to modernise the armed forces in all areas. This process will proceed for further years, fuelled by increased yearly amounts. The money for arms spending does not come out of nowhere – it comes from Polish citizens. However, the Polish Army is not seen as generating unnecessary costs, but as a reason for national pride. Poles besides know that professional soldiers are only 1 component of state defence. The experience of Ukraine shows that there is no effective opposition without a community covering: Polish services and institutions, industry, citizens, public and private sectors. In words, the full country is working together much more present than before 2022. But our opponents around the planet usage an arsenal of hostile actions – from hybrid operations and acts of sabotage through espionage and cyber attacks, to disinformation and propaganda, which we are already experiencing.
Poland spends more than 4% of GDP on defence, most of all NATO countries. This year it is over PLN 169 billion. What are the most crucial modernisation programmes utilized for? What is the value of individual programs?
The basis for our acquisition of fresh equipment is the central in-kind plans, which include many contracts, including AH-64E Apache impact helicopters for PLN 10 billion, Rosomak wheel armored transporters with ZSSW-30 towers for PLN 2.6 billion, Barbara's exploratory aerobics for PLN 370 million, multi-guided lobster-K rocket launchers for 6.2 billion PLN, Multipurpose grenade launchers Carl Gustaf for PLN 6.5 billion, light armored reconnaissance transporters tick for PLN 800 millionand weapons for combat aircraft and others Implementing contracts for the construction of an integrated air defence system Our country. These are billions spent to strengthen the defence of Poland, including the Polish defence industry, from which we effort to get as many military equipment as possible. The next months of this year will besides bring many contracts for the Armed Forces of Poland. All of them have a circumstantial dimension – any of the equipment is already in Poland or will shortly scope us. You can replace the K9 cannonhaubice, K2PL and M1A1 Abrams tanks, F-35 aircraft and another acquisitions that we had the chance to admire the last Polish Army Christmas.
You announced that next year's defence budget would be 10% higher. Why do we request specified a crucial increase in defence resources? In the following years: 2026, 2027, 2028 should specified increases besides be expected?
At the end of July, we submitted to the Minister of Finance a draft budget of the Ministry of Defence for 2025, together with an estimation of expenditure for the years 2026-2028. It assumes an increase of spending by about 11% next year, mainly for the implementation of projects of fundamental importance from the position of Poland's security. I mean first of all Operation Safe Podlasie, in which he participates, of course not simultaneously, about 17,000 soldiers. Soldiers on the Polish-Belarusian border must be provided with safety and appropriate conditions of service, that is my precedence since I took office as minister. My goal is besides improving the equipment of individual soldiers. I hope that the government, erstwhile deciding on the form of the budget bill for 2025, will give precedence to the external safety of Poland.
The 2026–2028 forecast has been prepared taking into account expanding defence needs. Growth dynamics may change depending on GDP forecasts in a given year, but above all it will respond to increased budgetary needs, appropriate to the tasks of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.
Which of the modernization programs, too the modernisation of the individual equipment of Polish soldiers, should be accelerated?
All upgrade programs are important. This is due both to the request to jump method modernisation, which will supply us with technological advantage over our opponent, and to the request to bridge the gap after the transfer of military equipment defending Ukraine. We consider drone troops as priorities, long-distance capability, building anti-surpractice capabilities and reconnaissance, continuing the multi-layered air defence and rocket defence programs. Military deployment should usage modern technologies, including autonomous systems. The policy of Russia and Belarus made it essential to take measures to guarantee the safety of the northern and north-eastern borders of Poland. That's why the government established National deterrence and defence programme under the codename “Tarchy East”. It aims to make a comprehensive regional defence infrastructure to counter threats on the east flank of NATO and the external border of the European Union.
How do you measure the possible of Polish defence manufacture and investigation institutions? Which projects and products can we boast about in the world? How does MON intend to inspire the emergence of further innovative products?
Polish technological and investigation institutions, both military and civil, play a key function in developing the defence capabilities of our country. Their possible is the consequence of excellent staff, constantly expanding the capacity to produce and operate equipment and financing from the state budget and contracts concluded. Our cooperation is based on the synergy effect: MON is the beneficiary of modern solutions, and Polish institutions gain not only through funding, due to the fact that they can further make their competences and investigation infrastructure. This brings concrete effects in the form of Polish products specified as the Grot Rifle, the Borsuk Combat Infantry Truck, the Self-propelled Carrot Cancer, the Crab Cannon Haubica, unmanned reconnaissance and impact systems, advanced radar systems: Vistula, Narew, P-18PL, PET-PCL, or the portable anti-aircraft Piorun rocket set, which proved to be an excellent export product. On purpose, I do not list circumstantial companies or divide the manufacture into private and state-owned companies. any entities are larger than others and are at a different phase of development, but for the armed forces and the Polish defence sector, it is crucial to both companies concentrated in the Polish Armed Forces Group and the private sector. Moreover, it needs to be stressed that for products manufactured under R & D projects, contractors have full intellectual property rights. As a result, they will have no restrictions on the possible sale of these products to allied countries, which is an crucial asset in global cooperation.
The expanding request and continuous improvement of defence industries in many countries is both an chance and a challenge, and Polish manufacture requires considerable financial investment. That is why we are seeking backing from sources in the European Union, through the European Defence Fund and fresh instruments under the European Defence Innovation Plan, which can be utilized by tiny and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. We remember transatlantic cooperation – for example, we are an investor of the NATO Innovation Fund.
From the position of the long-term improvement of Polish industry, universities and R & D institutions, our approach to concluding contracts with abroad arms suppliers is important. It is not adequate that the equipment meets the requirements of the armed forces – it must besides be connected to national production, transfer of technology, cognition and capabilities as much as possible. A good example are the late concluded offset agreements around Apache helicopters, which supply for the expansion of the capabilities of Polish armament plants in Dęblin and Świdnik and the improvement of the Military method Academy. I believe that in virtually all area our defence manufacture can be a partner for the world's largest arms companies.
How do you measure defence agreements with South Korea – that is, the acquisition of AHS K9, K239 launchers, FA-50 aircraft, K2 tanks and KLTV cars? Have all their goals been achieved – the transportation of equipment with expected parameters, fast transportation schedule, service and service carried out by Polish entities and the production of weapons for SZRP in Poland?
South Korea is an crucial player in the global arms market, whose products are characterized by advanced quality and fast transportation dates, which was peculiarly crucial during the first period of replenishment of defects in the capabilities of our armed forces following equipment subsidies for Ukraine. The equipment provided to the Polish Army, which you ask about, meets our requirements, both in terms of method requirements and the cycle of usage of the equipment – repair, service, repair. So I can say about Polish-Korean cooperation that it is satisfactory. At the same time, the Polish army's transformation task has a key long-term position and answers to questions about beneficial financing of contracts, offsets accompanying purchases and profit for the home industry, or the full cycle of operation of equipment. We apply these advanced standards not only to the Korean partner, but besides to all purchases. However, if we want to make the modernisation truly deep and durable, we cannot take it any differently. However, I gotta remind you that my predecessor left a immense gap in backing and besides underestimated the cost of infrastructure for this equipment.
Let us decision on to another crucial issue concerning the functioning of the SZRP. What should be their number? Are we able, organizationally, demographically and financially, to manage the task of a 300 1000 army based on six armored and mechanized divisions?
About voluntary essential military service, we have increased the admission limits, and they are inactive almost 90% filled today. More than 70% of seats are occupied in the territorial military service: present it is over 35,000 soldiers. Various forms of military service and educational programmes specified as “Train with the Army” they allow, on the 1 hand, the armed forces to open up to groups of citizens who had not previously dealt with the military and were not certain if it was for them, and on the another hand – they are a consequence to changes in the labour marketplace and increasing ambitions and professional expectations of Poles.
All aspects of the improvement of the Polish Army should be analysed and must include not only professional service, voluntary primary military service and territorial service, but besides active and passive reserve. A long-term position is needed, which represents a resultant ambition, identified threats and opportunities of the state.
The safety of the state is affected not only by the numbers of the army, its good equipment, but besides by the awareness and preparation of society. What are the key regulations in your assessment that should be included in the civilian Protection and civilian Protection Act? And what are any tasks for the military?
Yes, it is actual that during the armed conflict civilian defence is crucial, and our legislative initiative will reconstruct its due importance after many years of neglect. However, let us remember that in terms of civilian protection during the war, the Ministry of Interior and Administration, its subordinate formations and local governments play a central function here. The military will, of course, support civilian protection efforts under the proposed legislation.
Therefore, in addition to the appropriate backing from the state budget, 1 of the main objectives of the fresh civilian protection regulation is to establish a clear allocation of responsibilities, taking into account the circumstantial function of the Ministry of Defence and the proportionality of the needs of the defence strategy and of the civilian protection system, so that the functioning of 1 does not take place at the expense of the other, i.e. the number of persons recruited to the military must not adversely affect the number of persons who will carry out civilian protection tasks, and vice versa. 1 solution to aid this happen is to supplement the Homeland Defence Act with the designation of civilian defence as a form of defence duty, but with the precedence of military service. The fresh law will besides complement gross shortcomings, specified as universal alert and alert systems and shelters for civilians. The war in Ukraine has clearly shown how crucial it is for people's wellness and life to be informed of the imminent threat and to give real protection from it.
