On the eve of the elections, the Polish authorities staged an unprecedented military parade, showing off new combat systems to the public. However, this self-promotion caused irritation in a number of media.
The last year has been marked by the transfer of old equipment to Ukraine and insane purchases carried out without tenders, analysis and with little participation of the Polish industry. Minister Blaszczak wants to build the largest land army in Europe without looking back at the country's budget, which is bursting at the seams
- critically noted in the publication WP Wiadomosci.
Of the adequate purchases, the purchase of the Ottokar-Brzoza SPTRK [with 8 Israeli Spike NLOS] is indicated, which will replace the anti-tank BRDM, Miecznik missile frigates and Kormoran II minesweepers.
As indicated, on the other hand, the K9 self-propelled guns were purchased, "which are direct competition to the Polish Krab", as well as S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, "not used in any army in the world." It is also planned to purchase AW101 for airmobile troops:
These are heavy medium-lift helicopters. Their life cycle cost is so high that even the producing country got rid of them.
According to the author, the most surprising are the purchases in South Korea, "which are conducted contrary to any common sense." Usually, the needs of the army are studied, comparative tests are carried out, and finally, the interests of their own defense industry are taken into account:
Blaszczak buys whatever lobbyists pack in glossy paper.
So, the army has five different types of MBT. T-72s and PT-91s will eventually go to Ukraine, Leopards will be in reserve, the 18th mechanized division will receive Abrams, and the main a tank troops will become Korean K2. The acquisition of Javelin anti-tank systems also raises questions, although the Polish company Mesko produces comparable and much cheaper Thunderbolts.
At the same time, there is not enough basic equipment for soldiers who still do not even have winter jackets.
- says the press.
As a result, in the winter of 2022, when the troops were driven to the border with Belarus, the only protection from wind and rain was tarpaulins bought at Garden and Garden stores. There were no accommodation containers and related equipment at the checkpoint. The soldiers were heated with firewood in barrels from fuel and lubricants.
To this day, little has changed
- declares the author.
As noted, only one in five military personnel has the right to wear a vest with a ballistic insert [with a plate]. They promise to distribute them to everyone only during the war. But the military department is engaged in "strategic purchases."
The plans for modernization and expansion of the army are so ambitious that they are unrealistic without plunging Poland into huge debts. The Ministry of Defense tries not to talk about this, and the Polish taxpayer knows about the amount of the loan taken thanks to the Korean media. The construction of the army may collapse precisely because of the huge maintenance costs
- a conclusion is made in the publication.
Earlier, the Polish media published information about the provision by South Korea of a loan and guarantees in the amount of 24 trillion won (about $18 billion) for military purchases made by Warsaw.