Poland signs air defence deal with US worth nearly USD 2 billion
Poland and the United States have signed an agreement worth almost USD 2 billion for the delivery of logistical and technical support for the Patriot air defence system purchased by Poland.
The signing took place at the military base in Sochaczew, central Poland, on Monday in the presence of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Tusk said during the ceremony that "Poland is an outstanding example in today's difficult, complicated times, an example of good cooperation to defend the security of Poland, NATO, the USA and all of Europe."
He said that for Poland "the issue of alliances, security, Polish-American cooperation, NATO stability ...is not abstract but important matters."
"We show our commitment to these matters with billions of dollars or euros that we invest in our security," Tusk continued.
"Let Polish loyalty be an example to everyone, on both sides of the Atlantic," he added.
Tusk further said that the war in Ukraine made everyone aware of the real risks associated with a new global confrontation. He warned that there can be no room for confrontation within the North Atlantic Pact, between allies, because they all have one common interest.
"We all want peace, we all want to defeat the evil that lurks around our borders and we all want the most stable and full cooperation possible within NATO," he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the the agreement signed on Monday is worth almost USD 2 billion.
He added that investment in air defence is Poland's largest defence expense.
"An attack by opponents often costs much less than defending one's own airspace. This is sometimes ten times more expensive, but it is a fundamental investment," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He added that the more money the European Union spends on armaments, the more NATO armies, including the Polish army, will be able to benefit.
"Building a strong Europe and strengthening NATO go hand in hand, Kosiniak-Kamysz said. (PAP)
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