Mariusz Błaszczak made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Polish defence spending to rise to EUR 20.7 billion in 2023
It came after Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki unveiled the draft budget for 2023, which he described as “an ambitious budget for difficult times.”
Under the proposal, defence spending is set to rise from around PLN 58 billion (EUR 12.3 billion) this year to PLN 98 billion (20.7 billion) in 2023, the PM said.
Morawiecki added that the figure would include up to PLN 40 billion (EUR 8.5 billion) for the purchase of foreign military equipment.
‘A record budget for Poland’s Armed Forces’
Błaszczak, who is also Poland’s defence minister, welcomed the plan, tweeting: “A record 2023 budget for Poland’s Armed Forces is becoming reality.”
Later in the day, he told reporters that Poland "ought to spend" such sums to strengthen its army amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The announcement came as the Russian aggression against Ukraine continued for the 188th day.
(pm)
Source: PAP, polskatimes.pl