Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Tuesday that his ministry would provide PLN 350 million (EUR 80 million) in financial support to 86 companies and institutions.
He spoke during a ceremony at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw, alongside Deputy Defence Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka.
Fund recipients include companies from the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) that supply military equipment, including Huta Stalowa Wola and Fabryka Broni Łucznik, as well as military research centres and research institutes belonging to the state-run Łukasiewicz Research Network, state news agency PAP reported.
Polish subsidiaries of foreign companies such as Airbus, and private companies such as AMZ Kutno will also receive government funds, it said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said a record number of companies and institutions would receive funding this year.
He said the money was intended to maintain production lines and servicing capabilities and ensure full readiness of Poland’s defence industry.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland was leading the way among NATO countries in the growth of spending and investment in the defence industry, armed forces and security.
He also highlighted the European Union's SAFE defence investment programme, describing it as "an important impulse for overcoming various obstacles."
He said agreements signed in May under the SAFE programme were contributing to economic development and resilience.
Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said the funding was "not a reward, but an obligation" for the industry "to be ready to act immediately in a crisis."
She said government-industry cooperation was developing well, including in supporting companies' expansion abroad.
She announced plans for further business forums involving foreign companies, including from the United States and Canada, to develop international cooperation.
She said the aim was not only to invest in security but also to earn from exports of Polish defence industry products.
(sp/gs)
Source: PAP