Within NATO, Poland stands not only as a recipient of security but also as a contributor to that security for the Baltic states. That was the message conveyed by Wojciech Skurkiewicz, a senator from Law and Justice and a former deputy minister of defense, in a discussion with the wPolityce.pl portal. He warned that any imprudent action would carry heavy costs for NATO’s eastern flank.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested on Radio Zet that the offer from South Korea was not appealing enough to pursue. This stance comes amid a pattern of cautious or critical remarks by the ruling coalition regarding Korea-related agreements. It should be recalled that Prime Minister Donald Tusk, at a December 27, 2023 press conference, acknowledged potential problems with those agreements.
The wPolityce.pl portal sought comment from Senator Skurkiewicz, who previously served as deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense, on Kosiniak-Kamysz’s remarks.
In the current context, the interlocutor stressed the unbelievable nature of challenging actions at a moment when a conventional war unfolds just beyond Poland’s eastern border. He noted that Poland has already transferred a substantial portion of its weapons to Ukraine as part of equipment donations, and he criticized any attempts to undermine the defense efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Defense in 2023 or 2022. He emphasized that all measures by the defense leadership had been preceded by consultations, discussions, and input from the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army.
He pointed out that the Council for Technical Modernization of the Armed Forces has operated within the Ministry of National Defense, meeting regularly to discuss procurement and modernization under the leadership of the defense minister.
The interlocutor argued that the current December 13 coalition actions may limit Poland’s defense capabilities. He cited reports of reductions and delays in modernization programs and questioned the rationale behind limiting investments in the Polish armed forces, suggesting that these moves could hamper national security.
A few weeks earlier, during the Senate’s discussion of the 2024 budget, he warned against such measures. He recalled the years 2008 to 2015 when defense spending was constrained under the PO-PSL government, which hindered the technical modernization of the armed forces. He urged that history not be repeated and urged vigilance over any future reductions.
There were references to the defense budget, with the assertion that the expenditure is currently at three percent of GDP, a line he maintained should not be open to debate as it is mandated by the Homeland Defense Act. A supplementary mechanism for funding technical modernization, particularly in the early years of large orders, should be managed to ensure a robust and modern Polish army, moving away from post-Soviet equipment. The current inventory, including MiG-29s and Mi-24 helicopters, was deemed unlikely to meet 21st century battlefield demands and should be phased out with new platforms replacing them. Negotiations with the United States to acquire 98 state-of-the-art Apache helicopters were highlighted as a pivotal step in this modernization drive.
The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure that FA-50 aircraft squadrons become integral to the armed forces, with the first twelve already in service in the distinctive red-and-white markings. The key takeaway remained a call for prudent leadership in defense matters, with the Law and Justice party positioning itself as a substantive opposition that would support rational, security-enhancing measures while challenging actions that could erode Poland’s safety.
Among the headlines, the question arose whether Prime Minister Tusk intends to use the influence of Kosiniak-Kamysz to push through decisions that could be risky for Poland. The interlocutor reminded readers that during the PO-PSL era, Tusk and Kosiniak-Kamysz were involved in raising the retirement age for Poles, a policy that could be revisited with similar political maneuvering. The prospect of repeating such tactics, but now affecting defense spending and national security, was viewed with concern.
Poland is regarded as a frontline member within NATO, with many Allies looking to Warsaw for leadership in modernization and in expanding the size and capability of the Polish armed forces. The defense stance includes support for allies and the broader goal of strengthening security across the eastern flank. The interlocutor underscored that any imprudent move could carry significant consequences for NATO’s eastern perimeter.
In another public appearance, Senator Skurkiewicz spoke about a Russian missile incident in Ukraine, noting that Poland faced potential provocations from Moscow intended to test the resilience of air defenses. He argued that ignoring the need for defensive investments would be a strategic mistake given Poland’s frontline status and the current regional security environment.
In summary, the discourse stresses the importance of robust, forward-looking defense spending and modernization, framed as essential for Poland’s security and its role within NATO. The Senate and the defense leadership are portrayed as committed to maintaining a credible deterrent and ensuring capable force readiness, while remaining vigilant against policies that could undermine national security or burden the Polish people with risky compromises.
[citation attribution: wPolityce]