The Polish authorities are expanding the size of the national army by more than 2.5 times – from the current 150,000 to 400,000. Also, the country intends to purchase modernized weapons in order, if necessary, to “resist the Russian threat.” Such statements were made by the head of the country’s ruling party “Law and Justice” Yaroslav Kaczynski, his words are quoted by the publication Visegrád 24.
Speaking about weapons, Kaczynski named, first of all, HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. Poland will buy them in the amount of 500 pieces. Next on the list are the F-35 fighters, there are 32 of them. There are also plans to purchase Abrams tanks of the latest version M1A2 SEPv3 (250 units). The leader of the ruling party also named Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems (8 batteries). In addition, Poland, as part of the modernization of the army, has already bought or is going to buy an additional 500 tanks.
Earlier, Warsaw announced a two-fold increase in the size of its army – up to 300,000 soldiers.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in mid-June that the alliance would expand its presence in the east. Most member countries, he said, agree to increase the size of their military contingent from battalion to brigade level.
