General Dariusz Łukowski, a Defence Ministry director and former head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), told the daily Rzeczpospolita that around another dozen billion PLN would be required for infrastructure. He said the investment would take at least three years.
Wrocław, Poznań, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin are the candidate locations, he said, but nothing has been settled.
“The final decision will be taken by President Donald Trump. Only then will we have certainty. Once we have a decision on location, type of forces and number of soldiers, our work will begin”, Łukowski said.
Warsaw wants troops with capabilities “that fill a certain gap in our capabilities”, he said.
“For example, for the Americans to move to Poland a unit that has the capability for precision strikes at long range, because we have a deficit of such assets. This would allow us to build a deterrence capability already now and help build our own potential with American support”, he said.
Each site has its merits, Łukowski said. Wroclaw and its surroundings would be the favourite if an armoured brigade were sent, while Szczecin has a developed port complex. Bydgoszcz hosts many elements of NATO’s command structure, and Poznan is home to the forward command post of the US V Corps, he said.
The general stressed that American troops would bring their families to a permanent base.
“If there were 5,000 soldiers, that number grows to at least 15,000 including families. The creation of the base must be accompanied by the construction of homes, schools, kindergartens and a hospital”, he said.
“This is not just warehouses for weapons, fuel infrastructure or training grounds. That is why such a base is not an investment only for the defence ministry but a nationwide task, involving also, for example, the education and health ministries”, Łukowski said.
(jh)
Source: PAP