Disputes over EU Aid for Poland’s Ammunition Production
The former Polish defense minister claimed on the X platform that the Ministry of Defense accused him of submitting program applications during the PiS government, while arguing that the subsidy awarding process occurred under the December 13 coalition. He suggested the coalition was the most cheerful and respected in Europe at the time, and he attributed the award outcome to the political leadership in place then.
Poland was set to receive only 2 million euros of the 500 million euro ASAP aid package, designed to bolster ammunition production. Much of the money was slated for Germany and for German companies operating in countries like Spain and Hungary.
The minister asserted that while Europe might show respect, the actual allocation from the EU ammunition production program appeared scant. He reiterated that applications were filed during the PiS government, yet subsidies were distributed when Poland was governed by the December 13 coalition. He noted that Poland received merely about 2.1 million euros, or 0.4 percent of the overall budget, while Hungary, for example, was allotted nearly 30 million euros to be shared among three arms companies. He contended that any praise from Western politicians did not reflect the reality of the funding distribution.
– stated on X
In the submission and attached recording, the politician referred to the response from the defense ministry spokesperson to his remarks about ASAP funds for the Polish defense sector.
Did you know that Donald Tusk received less than 0.5 percent of the EU budget for ammunition production? The speaker argued this represented a failure and called for greater production of ammunition. He questioned why only 2 of 500 million euros went to Poland while Germany received more than 85 million and Hungary nearly 30 million, adding that Hungary had been described as on the EU margins. He urged renegotiation of the contract.
– emphasized the former minister.
December 13 Coalition and Responsibility
The online discussion began with an earlier post from the former defense minister. He wrote that Donald Tusk arranged for Poland only a small share of the 500 million euros allocated for EU ammunition production. He described the European Commission’s initiative as correct and necessary, but questioned why Poland received a tiny portion while German and Hungarian firms received significantly larger sums.
Janusz Sejmej, the ministry’s spokesperson, briefly commented on the matter as the post circulated on X.
– remarked the former defense minister, criticizing perceived missteps and the timing of various actions, including leadership changes within the arms sector and the broader implications for Polish defense manufacturing. The exchange touched on the perceived balance of support among EU member states.
The discussion also touched on questions about accountability within the ministry and the interior ministry, with different viewpoints about who bears responsibility for the scheduling and submission of applications.
– reported on the ministry’s X profile.
The exchange also drew a critique of the idea that the minister was dodging responsibility, with counterpoints suggesting that deadlines were met and that the call for applications was aligned with the program’s timeframe.
The debate extended to the broader question of how Poland’s arms industry fared under the current and prior governments, including remarks about the timing of submissions by PGZ Group companies such as Dezamet, MESKO, and Nitrochem. The aim of the ASAP program is to enhance EU defense production capacity for surface-to-surface munitions, artillery shells, and missiles.
Three PGZ Group entities prepared application materials: Dezamet, MESKO SA, and Nitrochem. Their plans included alleviating bottlenecks in 155mm and 122mm ammunition production, expanding reload facilities, upgrading software, and creating new modular charge production capabilities for 155mm howitzers. Participation in the ASAP program was intended to help secure raw materials, strengthen supply chains, and shorten delivery times.
The commentary underscored that the situation did not reflect a broad sense of European support for Poland’s defense sector, even as it highlighted ongoing efforts to sustain national arms industry capabilities.
Ajax
Source: wPolityce