Controversy in arms purchases by MON

Today, September 11th Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak signed a contract to acquisition more 486 (More than owns US Army itself!) HIMARS rocket launchers, on this occasion we will look at another processes of modernization of the Armed Forces of Poland.

Since last year, Poland's purchases of arms have gained momentum, mainly due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The budget task for the following year envisages expanding defence spending to PLN 158,9 billion, thus exceeding the 5% of GDP threshold. However, any decisions made by the Ministry of Defence rise any controversy, about which will be the article.

What does Poland buy?

The largest arms contracts under implementation:

–Tanks M1A1 Abrams (used) – 116 pieces + logistics package for PLN 5.5 billion

–M1A2 Abrams tanks – 250 pieces + logistics package for PLN 23 billion

–Tanks K2 Black Panther – 180 pieces + logistics package for PLN 15.5 billion

–Mr Haubice KRAB – 48 pieces + accompanying cars for PLN 3.8 billion

–Haubice K9A1Thunder (used) – 212 pieces + logistics package for PLN 10 billion

–HIMARS launchers – 506 pieces + logistics package for ~45 billion PLN

–K239 launchersChunmoo – 280 pieces + logistics package for PLN 15.1 billion

–Helicopters AW149 – 32 pieces + logistics-simulator package for PLN 8.3 billion

–Fighter aeroplanesF-35 – 32 pieces + logistics-simulator package for PLN 19 billion

–FA-50 School conflict Planes – 48 pieces + logistics package for PLN 13 billion

–Delfin electronic combat ships – 2 pieces for PLN 2.9 billion

–Frigate Arrowhead 140 (Meter) – 3 pieces for 8 billion PLN

Primary tank K2 Black Panther

Further purchases

Even more different types of contracts are included in the MON acquisition plans. Start with the possibly most costly contract in history, i.e. acquisition of further anti-aircraft systems included in the Vistula – Patriot programme for an amount of PLN 61 billion. Another major step in the modernization of the Polish army may be the execution of the already signed preliminary contract for the acquisition and production of another 320 Black Panther tanks in the K2PL version. advancement can besides be expected, mentioned as early as 2017 by Antoni Macierewicz Program Orka to acquisition fresh submarines for the Navy. The acquisition of 700 dense combat infantry vehicles operating alongside Polish production of BWP Borsuk was besides announced, to which MON seeks to acquire. The acquisition of 96 Apache AH-64 assault helicopters is besides planned for about a year, and the US legislature has already issued an agreement on this transaction. The cost of all the above purchases is estimated at around PLN 180 billion.

Today we are launching a programme offensive, which is to present fresh specifics for another term.
1⃣ circumstantial PiS: a large program “Friendly Settlement” - modernization and revitalization of settlements and blocks from the alleged large plate #PiS Concretespic.twitter.com/xo9Ss3KN6r

Visualization of frigate Arrowhead 140

Controversy

The problem seems to be the purchasing scale itself. Already now, according to information coming from South Korea (MON is silent about this), the banks there have a problem granting loans to the Polish government, the amount of which is expected to amount to PLN 77 billion. The full sum of all expenditure described in this article amounts to about PLN 350 billion, over twice the full yearly MON budget, which besides includes expenditure on salaries and maintenance of soldiers and equipment already held. In order to finance these plans, the government will surely gotta borrow further abroad.

Another issue identified by experts is the origin of these imports, for in almost all contract mentioned in this article, there is an American arms company on the side of the sellers. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, or General Dynamics is the largest of them. Even products imported from another countries than the USA were developed by the above mentioned companies. The biggest controversy seems to be the acquisition of FA-50 aircraft from South Korea, co-producered by Lockheed Martin, even after the FA-50PL has been introduced, are incapable to compete with Poland's F-16 fighters or their Russian counterparts. The acquisition of these aircraft is explained by MON overburdening American production lines, but why can't we buy equipment from another suppliers? Experts pointed out, for example, on the already offered Poland, Swedish fighters JAS 39 Gripen E (they are full integrated with NATO systems) which allegedly surpass the air-air aircraft's performance in combat. F-16, therefore, is more useful in ensuring dominance and protection over the Polish sky. Due to the allegations mentioned in the above paragraph, it is disputed whether the purchases of the MON were decently considered, even with occasional corruption rumors, fueled by the fact that contracts made “in urgent operational need” were not signed after the tender was issued and only the average participation of the Polish industry.

FA-50 School Battleplane

Summary and opinion

Undoubtedly, the geopolitical situation in Europe requires the improvement of Polish armed forces, and I agree with specified immense arms contracts signed by the Ministry of Defence. But what would an opinion be without a proverbial “but”? I will repeat here the words spoken by the erstwhile commander of the GROM – General Roman Polko, for years (both erstwhile and current governments) were peculiarly neglected by the needs of the Navy, a symbol of this is the earlier mentioned Ork Program. According to the assurances of Antoni Macierewicz, even then the Minister of National Defence, in 2023 the first fresh submarine was to be introduced into service, but no sign of it. Further assurances from the MON give hope of improving the situation. Another amendment I would introduce to the Polish purchasing programme is to increase the diversity of arms partners, specified as Indonesia, or countries in the mediate East, to be independent of 1 supplier. I would like to conclude this article with an appeal to further increase the competence of the Polish industry, which would supply more jobs in connection with the improvement of the economy and faster delivery, peculiarly useful in the event of a diverse crisis.

Source:

– Shopping

– Loans from South Korea

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