SAFE: an chance and challenge for the armory

Deputy Minister Golota reported that at the turn of February and March government representatives are besides planning visits to respective European countries. Sweden, Norway and Italy will surely be among the countries to visit. The aim of these visits will be to advance the Polish defence industry. “The promotion belongs to the powers of the defence manufacture and the Polish Armed Forces Group does so, while both I, as the arms supervisor, and Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka (a typical of the government for SAFE – ed.) declared that we would support these efforts from government level”, said Gołota during a fresh gathering with journalists. He summarized his yearly occupation as Deputy Minister.

There is another reason for these visits: joint defence purchases. Gołota stressed that Poland is open to partnerships with companies from different countries, including outside Europe. What do we anticipate from abroad companies? Cooperation on partner terms, technology transfer, but we are besides ready for task cooperation and the creation of joint ventures. – We say to all partners: we want to cooperate with you. However, we besides signal that they are not the only ones," said the Deputy Head of the Ministry of State Acts. He added that, contrary to the allegations of opposition, orders under SAFE do not mean giving up arms purchases in the United States or South Korea.

The EU financial instrument is simply a large opportunity, but besides a challenge for the Polish armory. The request for very fast transportation dates for contracted arms and military equipment was adopted by the end of 2030. This will let companies to get competence in the fast production of products for which there is marketplace demand. “We do not yet know precisely what contracts will be signed, but this will require investment and increased production capacity,” said Deputy Minister Golota.

This means the request for further backing of arms companies, which in fresh years have already received support from the Capital Investment Fund of about PLN 7.5 billion. It was initially estimated that in order to meet the needs of the military, including the service and maintenance of the equipment acquired, it would be essential to strengthen the PGZ companies with a sum of PLN a twelve billion. The final amount of support will be affected by contracts concluded under SAFE.

Gołota besides pointed out the challenges for the coming years facing the state-owned armaments. First mentioned the doubling of production Lightning anti-aircraft system, which is due, among another things, to a large interest in this product from many countries. presently 1,300 rounds are produced annually, a 1000 more than in 2022. At the same time, Lightning 2 will enter the production.

Another crucial task is Heavy Combat Infantry Truck Ratel. Konrad Gołota estimated that it could be ready within 3 to 4 years, but warned that the word would be affected by armed forces, including their requirements for this vehicle. Another challenge is the improvement of capabilities in the area of unmanned systems, including land-based systems.

At the same time, the consolidation of PGZ is to be carried out in order to avoid interior competition between the group companies. It will besides be crucial to adjust the production capacity of companies to the size of long-term orders. Here the issue of production partnerships with abroad companies arises, due to the fact that the Polish Army cannot be the only client of our armory. The best solution is the increased cooperation of Poland with different countries in circumstantial product areas, so that both parties can be industrial facilities for each other.