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.

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.

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