Poland proposes to help fund US troops in country
Poland has a proposal to welcome a permanent deployment of US troops to the country, including helping to defray the costs, the defence ministry confirmed on 29 May, amid fears over recent aggression by neighbouring Russia.
Pawel Soloch, head of the office of national security at the Polish Presidency, had revealed in a television interview that a defence ministry ‘information document’ showed that Poland could spend between $1.5 to $2 billion to help cover the cost of a US tank unit.
Soloch said: ‘Yes, we are interested in the presence of American forces in our country and we have submitted – including to think tanks – some options that we could offer if such decisions were adopted.’
Contacted by AFP, the defence ministry confirmed the ‘Proposal for a US Permanent Presence in Poland’, which has been passed on to several governmental institutions, Congress and main think-tanks.
Moscow's annexation of Crimea and involvement in the insurgency in eastern Ukraine have raised concerns among NATO member countries like Poland which border Russia about increased aggression.
The proposal published in the Polish media triggered an immediate response from Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that ‘the progressive expansion of NATO military structures near our borders... will not benefit in any way the security and stability on the continent’ and will lead ‘to reciprocal measures by Russia to restore the balance (of power) each time it is violated.’
According to the document published by Onet.pl, the Polish funds would be used to improve infrastructure ahead of the potential arrival of American soldiers.
Some elements of a US tank brigade were deployed to Poland on a temporary basis in January 2017 as part of measures to reassure countries in the region bordering Russia.
Poland has also received the support of a multinational NATO battalion under US command.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Why Middle Eastern markets demand bespoke AFV solutions]()
Why Middle Eastern markets demand bespoke AFV solutions
In this expert analysis, Christopher Foss looks at how armoured vehicle suppliers to the Middle East are increasingly tailoring platforms for the region’s specific operational requirements.
-
![Swiss Army still awaits new artillery contract to replace M109 howitzers]()
Swiss Army still awaits new artillery contract to replace M109 howitzers
More than a year after selecting the KNDS Artillery Gun Module mounted on the Piranha IV 8x8 as its next artillery system, Switzerland is still awaiting the contract that will deliver the guns.
-
![Milrem outlines plans for Havoc and Vector as Ukrainian THeMIS numbers set to double]()
Milrem outlines plans for Havoc and Vector as Ukrainian THeMIS numbers set to double
Milrem’s THeMIS uncrewed ground vehicle is one of the most battle-proven medium UGV platforms in service, with the company looking to have production versions of new large platforms ready before the end of the decade.
-
![US Precision Strike Missile makes combat debut in Operation Epic Fury]()
US Precision Strike Missile makes combat debut in Operation Epic Fury
CENTCOM confirmed that PrSMs have been deployed in the offensive against Iran, bringing what it called “an unrivalled deep strike capability”.
-
![Localisation is the aim of the game in defence procurement]()
Localisation is the aim of the game in defence procurement
Defence buyers globally are increasingly looking to tie domestic manufacturing and technology transfer into deals.
-
![February land forces roundup: ST Engineering and Russia lift the lid on new platforms]()
February land forces roundup: ST Engineering and Russia lift the lid on new platforms
This month we saw a major presence from Turkish, Russian and Chinese companies at the World Defense Show with new vehicles from major suppliers, while elsewhere there were evolving mortar programmes and artillery modernisation efforts.
