32 F-35 fighters, 266 M1 Abrams tanks, MIM-104 Patriot and HIMARS worth $28.5bn - Poland builds Europe's most powerful army
Poland received five M142 HIMARS missile systems yesterday, 15 May. Their arrival was announced by Mariusz Blaschak, Polish Minister of Defence. The minister also recalled other major contracts aimed at strengthening Poland's defence capabilities.
Here's What We Know
Not counting HIMARS, the Polish government will spend nearly $18 billion to acquire US weapons. This list includes tanks, fifth-generation fighters and air defence systems.
???? Jutro pierwsze wyrzutnie #HIMARS będą w Polsce - zapowiedział Wicepremier, Minister @MON_GOV_PL @mblaszczak na #KonwencjaPiS???? #ProgramowyUL???????????? pic.twitter.com/1WVCn8ty6H
- Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (@pisorgpl) May 14, 2023
Poland has ordered 4 MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems worth $4.75bn. 32 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters cost $4.6 billion. Deliveries will start next year.
Poland has invested another $8.5 billion in tanks. Thus, $4.75 billion was allocated for 250 M1A2 Abrams combat vehicles, and $1 billion less for the M1A1. In both cases, the contract involves the purchase of tanks together with ammunition.
Pierwsze Himarsy już w ????????. Trafią do @16Dywizja
- Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej ???????? (@MON_GOV_PL) May 15, 2023
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Wicepremier @mblaszczak: Przyjmujemy dziś do #WojskoPolskie #Himars.y. Sprzęt, który sprawdził się w boju w rękach ???????? powstrzymując inwazję rosyjską. Ta broń trafi do północno-wschodniej części ????????.
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As for HIMARS, Poland received five of the 20 launchers the day before under a 2019 contract worth $655 million. The deal includes ATACMS and GMLRS missiles. In addition, three months ago, the US approved the sale of another 18 HIMARS with ATACMS, GMLRS and GMLRS-ER missiles for $10bn.
Source: @MON_GOV_PL
