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Poland signs €1.5 bn deal to buy anti-tank weapons from Sweden

04.03.2024 22:00
Poland has signed a EUR 1.5 billion deal to buy several thousand Carl Gustaf M4 anti-tank weapons from Sweden, the Polish defence ministry said on Monday, announcing the latest step in the country's efforts to bolster its defences in response to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Polands Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (right) speaks at a joint news conference with his Swedish counterpart Pl Jonson (left) in the Baltic port city of Gdynia on Monday, March 4, 2024.
Poland's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (right) speaks at a joint news conference with his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson (left) in the Baltic port city of Gdynia on Monday, March 4, 2024.Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski

"We have signed a very important contract under which the Polish armed forces will be provided with excellent anti-tank grenade launchers produced in Sweden," the Polish defence ministry said in a statement.

"This contract is among the most significant for equipment that has already demonstrated its effectiveness in combat in Ukraine," it added.

The announcement was made after a meeting between the two countries' defence ministers in Gdynia on Poland's Baltic coast.

The deal also includes the delivery of several hundred thousand rounds of ammunition from Swedish defence company Saab, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters at a joint news conference with his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson.

During their meeting in Gdynia on Monday, Kosiniak-Kamysz and Jonson announced plans for closer defence cooperation between their countries as Sweden is set to join NATO, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Among other initiatives, Poland is interested in using Swedish experience in organising territorial defence, officials said.

Sweden's Jonson hailed "good and concrete discussions" with his Polish counterpart "about common security issues and continued support for Ukraine."

He also said he was "very grateful for the strong Polish support for our NATO accession and lots of potential to deepen our bilateral cooperation when we become allies."

Hungary's parliament last Monday voted to approve Sweden's NATO membership, removing the last obstacle for the Scandinavian nation to join the Western military alliance.

Sweden's accession will follow that of Finland, which joined NATO in April last year, becoming the Western military alliance’s 31st member in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Monday is day 740 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl