The deals are worth a combined PLN 79 billion (EUR 18.7 billion), of which PLN 60 billion (EUR 14.2 billion) goes to the Huta Stalowa Wola steelworks and firms within the Polish Armaments Group – a record allocation under the SAFE fund.
The agreements cover a range of weapons systems, including 146 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, 1,000 ammunition, command and communications vehicles for the Homar-K rocket artillery system, and support vehicles for K9PL self-propelled howitzers.
Contracts were signed at several sites, including Huta Stalowa Wola and Rosomak SA in Siemianowice Śląskie, where deals for medical evacuation and command vehicles were also concluded.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who attended the signings, said 30 May was "absolutely the most important day in building the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces and the independence of the Polish defence industry".
He added that companies producing components for the ordered equipment are present in almost every district in Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the deals on social media, writing that the day's contracts covered equipment produced entirely by Polish firms.
Both the prime minister and the defence minister criticised opposition politicians and President Karol Nawrocki for having previously opposed or sought to block the EU programme.
The latest agreements follow two batches of SAFE-funded contracts concluded on Thursday and Friday.
On May 8, Poland signed a loan agreement with the European Commission under the SAFE framework.The government expects that more than 10,000 Polish companies will benefit from projects financed through the programme.
The SAFE initiative provides up to EUR 150 billion in low-interest loans through 2030 to support defence procurement by participating countries.
It was established to help EU countries strengthen their military capabilities amid Russia's war in Ukraine and uncertainty over future US engagement in European security.
The programme also aims to reduce reliance on US-made weapons and bolster Europe's defence industry.
(ał)
Source: PAP, IAR