Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that if all goes well, the SAFE agreement will be signed on Friday, allowing for a line of credit to purchase defence equipment, including anti-drone systems. While attending the 3rd May National Day celebrations in Krakow, he acknowledged that a presidential veto had delayed the funding process, but the government has now resolved the issue.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised the commitment to investing in the Polish arms industry, allocating significant funds to new technologies vital to the country’s defence. He noted that most planned acquisitions will come from Polish manufacturers, although some equipment will be sourced from allies.
By the end of May, EU regulations will allow member states to independently order defence equipment under the SAFE programme. After this deadline, they will need to partner with other countries for purchases. The SAFE programme includes €150 billion in support, with Poland receiving €43.7 billion to finance various defence projects, including the East Shield programme and military infrastructure modernisation. The government has stated that 89% of these funds will benefit the Polish economy.
Following President Karol Nawrocki‘s veto of the SAFE bill in mid-March, the government adopted a resolution authorising the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Finance and Economy to sign the agreement on its behalf. The loan, provided by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) for the Armed Forces Support Fund, will be repaid using funds that do not count towards the minimum defence spending limit.
