Tensions are rising as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk continuously guts the defense initiatives launched by the previous Polish conservative government, with Law and.Justice (PiS) MP and former Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak accusing the Tusk government of betrayal and purposeful disarmament of the Polish army.
“The Tusk government has launched a national program to disarm the Polish Army. Only in recent weeks have we learned that contracts for K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, Himars launchers and FA-50 aircraft have been canceled,” says Błaszczak.
“Do you know why this is happening? Because Tusk is lying about the high defense budget. They don’t have money,” he added.
The politician stated that the Polish Ministry of Defense’s budget consists of two parts — the state budget and the Armed Forces Support Fund. The fund is filled with money from the sale of bonds and loans. This year, they have only fulfilled 2 percent of the fund’s goals, according to Polish media outlet wPolityce. Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański also claims that the borrowing needs of the Polish state are only at 75 percent.
“That is why there is no money for new contracts,” the former defense minister stated. “Security is the most important thing, and the current government completely ignores this area. That is why within a month we will present a comprehensive diagnosis of the Polish security situation and solutions for the development of the armed forces of the Republic of Poland.”
Under PiS, Poland partook in one of the most comprehensive military reforms in Polish history, spending large sums of its GDP on state-of-the-art weapons, with defense spending ramping up after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Critics stated that these defense measures were too expensive, while Polish conservatives argued that it would be far more expensive if Poland showed weakness that invited Russian aggression.
Tusk’s government has implemented radical cuts to the program, potentially leaving Poland unprepared for a conflict. Tusk is already known for his cuts to the military when he previously served as prime minister.
“We are dealing with a national program of disarmament of Poland. Again, this took place already under the first Tusk government. Then, it concerned the liquidation of military units; now it has been revisited, and the same ones who ruled then are in power,” said Błaszczak.
“The PiS program to strengthen the army is under threat. The Dec.13 coalition government is not implementing the process of strengthening the Polish army. Champagne is being opened in the Kremlin and Putin is rejoicing. They want Poland hanging on the German door handle. And Berlin will not defend us and will treat us the same way as in the case of migration,” he added.
