Billions from SAFE for the Polish army. Kosiniak-Kamysz about the “only right choice” of the president
Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized in an interview with PAP that if President Karol Nawrocki makes the “only right decision” regarding the act implementing the SAFE mechanism, the urgent needs of the Polish army will be met.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized in an interview with PAP, AFP and dpa that everything that is most important for the Polish army today is focused on the SAFE program.
The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the amendments that were adopted by the Senate on Thursday, along with the bill implementing the program. They provide that expenses related to the repayment and banking of the SAFE loan will not be included in the minimum limit for defense spending, and also introduce the obligation of anti-corruption and counter-intelligence control over the use of funds. The bill will now go back to the Sejm.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the amendments proposed by the Senate make the bill “very transparent” and strengthen all possible anti-corruption mechanisms.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense was asked whether the amendments proposed to the SAFE Act had been agreed with the Chancellery of the President and the National Security Bureau. – They result from our sensitivity. And if they are also consistent with what was the result of talks at the National Security Council or discussions at security committees, discussions between parliamentarians and the National Security Bureau, then I can be very happy that we have found common denominators, he said.
Asked whether we could already call the bill a success, Kosiniak-Kamysz said that regardless of whether the bill receives the president's support, the SAFE program will be a success.
– The introduction of this mechanism in Europe has already been a success, and for the first time the European Union has started spending money on armaments. This is a success of the Polish Presidency, a success of Poland and the Polish way of thinking – emphasized the Minister of Defense.
Modern combat capabilities and anti-drone systems
Kosiniak-Kamysz also noted that the SAFE mechanism is supported by Poland's main ally in NATO – the United States, but other NATO countries, such as Türkiye, are also interested in it.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense was also asked what capabilities the Polish army was most interested in acquiring in the next dozen or so years, and what the SAFE mechanism could help with.
According to the Minister of Defense, these include drone and anti-drone capabilities, which were partially developed by the San program announced at the end of January, a project consisting of 18 batteries of anti-drone systems that will protect the eastern border against drones.
The second element that Poland must develop as quickly as possible, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz, is the ability to perform long, precise strikes. He recalled that last week Poland, France, Germany and Sweden signed a joint letter of intent regarding the joint acquisition of capabilities in this direction. – This is an absolute priority – he emphasized.
He added that in this context we are talking primarily about non-national capabilities, in cooperation with European allies, although – as he assured – talks on this topic are also being held with US partners.
Priorities in the Air Force
– It is very important to obtain this low-cost element of weapons as quickly and cheaply as possible. We see how expensive air defense is, so in the aspect of long-range attack, low production costs and independent production are very important – said Kosiniak-Kamysz.
In the context of SAFE, Kosiniak-Kamysz was also asked whether the EU mechanism would make up for the shortcomings in the Polish Air Force, which the Polish army draws attention to. This mainly concerns abilities such as air refueling, transport of equipment and soldiers, as well as reconnaissance skills.
The Minister of Defense pointed out that there is probably no country in the world that would be able to meet all the requests and needs of soldiers.
He noted that there is a certain hierarchy in the matter of the Polish Air Force. One of the most important issues currently – he mentioned – is the inclusion of new F-35 aircraft and a whole range of new helicopters in the army. However, skills such as air refueling and transporters are also among the priorities mentioned by Kosiniak-Kamysz.
– I think that if the president makes the only right decision possible and does not succumb to the whispers of those who wish ill to the Polish army, we will certainly be able to meet some of these needs – said the deputy prime minister.
Moreover, he stressed, SAFE will not block purchases made in other parts of the world, which was pointed out by, among others, opposition politicians. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the arguments of the other side cannot be explained.
According to the head of the Ministry of National Defense, politics cannot be stupid and dangerous in relation to one's own country. – We are not idiots to propose projects that are not, in the government's opinion, good projects, projects that are not beneficial for public finances, security, or economic development – he emphasized.
The act adopted on Thursday with amendments by the Senate assumes the creation of a Financial Instrument for Enhancing Security (FIZB) managed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, through which the government will be able to use money from SAFE.
Under the EU instrument, the Polish government will be able to use approximately EUR 43.7 billion in loans with favorable interest rates and spend them on defense investments. According to the government's declaration, over 80 percent the money is to be spent in the Polish arms industry.
Interview by Mikołaj Małecki (PAP)
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