After the presidential veto of Karol Nawrocki, who in March opposed the bill introducing the SAFE program – preferential EU loans for armaments – the government decided to cancel the already concluded tenders for equipment for the services subordinated to the Ministry of Interior and Administration. Purchases worth over PLN 7 billion are involved. The decision means re-announcement of tenders and changes to some of the conditions for bidders.
See also: This is how the government circumvents Karol Nawrocki's veto. The Minister of Defense announces
The tender procedure under SAFE will start again
The reason for the decision to cancel the tenders is the change in the method of financing after the presidential veto, which was necessary to save the funds intended for purchases for the uniformed services. Nawrocki's decision blocked the direct transfer of over PLN 7 billion from the EU fund for the police, border guards and SOP. In order not to lose money, the government decided on an emergency solution. The funds were secured in the budget of the Ministry of National Defense and included in the extended defense preparation program.
According to RMF FM, some of the tender conditions – including: the mode of selecting suppliers – must therefore be changed. Repeating the procedure may result in delivery delays. This includes: o AI systems, drones, classified communications and armored vehicles for the police, helicopters, boats, drone detection and neutralization systems for the border guard, purchase of mobile command points, shelters and radio recognition systems for the State Protection Service.
See also: What do people in the US think about the SAFE agreement? An American think tank commented
The agreement on the SAFE program was signed on May 8. Poland, to which the European Commission granted EUR 43.7 billion in low-interest loans, is the largest beneficiary of the program. After signing the agreement with the member states, the European Commission will be able to take out loans on the capital markets and transfer them to the beneficiaries. Poland's agreement was approved as the first out of 19 countries participating in the program; next in line is Lithuania.
