A Polish Air Force Sokol helicopter lands in a field in southern Poland during 2023 military exercises. Photo: NATO
THE US is giving Poland an extra $4 billion in military loans to modernise its military as the European country eyes greater ties with the Indon-Pacific region.
The deal raises the total of American loans and guarantees to Poland to just over $11 billion in the last two years.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says Poland is a cornerstone of NATO’s Eastern flank and a key strategic partner for the US.
“Since 2023, Poland has embarked on an unprecedented program of military modernisation, significantly strengthening its defence capabilities,” he says.
He says Poland’s modernisation includes buying advanced US defence systems such as Apache helicopters, a radar system, mobility rocket systems and Patriot air and missile defence systems.
“The proceeds from these loans will further accelerate Poland’s military modernisation, enhancing a wide range of defence capabilities and bolstering NATO’s deterrence and defence posture along its eastern flank,” Miller says.
ALLIANCE
The decision follows a recent meeting between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.
Rutte also praised Poland’s role on NATO’s eastern flank.
According to NATO, Poland spends more than 4 per cent of its GDP on defence, more than any other of its allies.
“This sends a clear message not only to our adversaries but also to the US,” Rutte said.
“Europe understands it must do more to ensure our shared security and that starts with spending more and also fielding more capabilities.”
Rutte commended Poland for hosting NATO forces, helping out with missions in Kosovo and Iraq, and for its strong support for Ukraine.
He noted that Poland has welcomed over a million Ukrainian refugees and committed €4 ($6.57) billion in military aid.
“Putin’s increasing reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang and Tehran shows that our security is not regional, it is global,” Rutte says.
He also welcomed a Polish commitment to build stronger ties with NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
The move has been prompted in part by the involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukrainian war, Iran supplying drones and Russia’s alliance with China.
The NATO Secretary General welcomed the official opening of an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile base in Redzikowo which is part of a defence network including another such site in Romania, US Navy destroyers out of Rota, Spain, and a radar system in Turkey.
