Prof. Sławomir Cenckiewicz, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), said in an interview with Bloomberg News that the EU’s SAFE arms loan program could jeopardize relations with the United States. He also stressed that limiting purchases to conventional weapons would not give the Polish army an opportunity to develop.
“One of Poland’s top officials has questioned a key financial instrument aimed at strengthening the European Union’s defense capabilities, arguing that the 150 billion euro (177 billion dollar) arms loan program threatens to sever relations with the United States,” Bloomberg News wrote.
The American agency was referring to its interview with Sławomir Cenckiewicz, head of the National Security Bureau.
“The program is intended to increase Europe’s defense capabilities, but in reality it is a way of gradually turning away from the United States,” he told reporters.
It was also noted that President Karol Nawrocki has not yet decided whether he will veto the SAFE bill.
A Path to Military Backwardness
Prof. Cenckiewicz recalled that the government refused to include in the legislation a provision stating that the majority of funds should go to the domestic defense industry. He pointed out that financing under the SAFE program would be allocated mainly to conventional weapons.
“We truly need advanced technology. Poland needs something more – a step forward,” Cenckiewicz said.
The head of the National Security Bureau also referred to a recently published U.S. defense strategy that could grant Poland “preferential status in the purchase of American weapons.” “And we are not taking advantage of it,” he stressed.
He added that “President Nawrocki is undoubtedly an asset in our relations with the Americans.” “The government could use these assets for the good of Poland,” Prof. Cenckiewicz noted.
Priorities for the Polish Armed Forces
President Karol Nawrocki also spoke about prioritizing modern technologies in the military at the Warsaw Citadel during a briefing with military commanders and the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence.
“Poland needs technologically advanced Armed Forces with high combat capabilities. This is a sine qua non condition for its continued secure development. For security, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate balance between arms purchases and the development of breakthrough technologies that will give our army an advantage on the modern battlefield not only today, but also in 5 or 15 years,” the President of the Republic of Poland emphasized.
He also stated that, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he expects “more in the area of implementing modern artificial intelligence solutions, breakthrough technologies in the cyber and space domains, as well as in command, reconnaissance and strike systems, and unmanned systems.”