’I expect competitiveness from domestic arms industry’ – says Poland’s Defence Minister

Poland’s Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, told a Polish Radio reporter that he expects urgent changes in the Polish arms industry.

Poland’s Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-KamyszPAP/Rafał Guz

Kosiniak-Kamysz referred to the recent management changes in the Polish Armaments Group. Mid-week, the institution’s President Krzysztof Trofiniak resigned – and on Friday the Supervisory Board elected one of its members, Arkadiusz Bąk, as his temporary successor.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that he is more interested in systemic changes in the domestic arms industry, than in personnel changes. Kosiniak-Kamysz added that he is waiting for better and cheaper products from the domestic defence industry, which will allow it to successfully compete with foreign armaments.

The Defence Minister recalled that in recent days he spoke with his Latvian counterpart, Andris Sprūds – who declared interest in Polish military products if the prices and quality are competitive. „It cannot be more expensive than what we’re offered by the French or German industry, though” – Sprūds emphasised, Kosiniak-Kamysz relayed.

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister also indicated that other Baltic and Nordic countries, as well as the Belgians and the French, also expressed interest in Polish armaments, like the man-portable air-defense system Piorun, or Baobab scattered mine-laying system.

Kosiniak-Kamysz added that he expects the new authorities of the Polish Armaments Group to take a modern approach to both production and negotiations of individual contracts, also presenting greater openness to the private arms industry. „Without greater cooperation between the state sector and arms companies with private capital, it will not be possible to obtain large EU funds for defence projects” – the Defence Minister assessed.

The Polish Armaments Group announced that it will continue to apply for such funds. In recent years, however, it has not been able to obtain any significant amounts from the European Defense Co-financing Program.

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Source: IAR

Radio Poland