The 1st Transport Aviation Base in Warsaw hosted an Easter gathering attended by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, soldiers and employees of the Ministry of National Defence. “Peace is not given erstwhile and for all, so we will arm ourselves and build the strongest army we can organize,” stressed the head of the MON.
In addition to the head of the Ministry of Defence, representatives of the government were present at the Easter meeting, including Stanisław Wzątek, Undersecretary of State in the MON, Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of Interior and Administration, and officers and soldiers headed by General Wiesław Kukula, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army. There were besides soldiers who would spend Christmas time in the ministry, sometimes very far from home. Through the video, Warsaw was connected by the contingents carrying out tasks abroad, including in Romania, Lebanon, Latvia and Italy, as well as the military from the task force Podlasie.
President Andrzej Duda, who read Margaret Paprock, head of the Chancellery of the president of Poland, sent a letter to the present. “The Easter feasts, most crucial in the Christian calendar, bring promise of peace, consent and assurance in the triumph of good over evil. This message speaks to us peculiarly powerfully in these troubled, hard times, erstwhile there is inactive a war going on across the east border of our country due to Russia's violent aggression towards Ukraine. For over 3 years, we have been following these dramatic events and drawing conclusions about our national security. Nobody understands the challenges facing the Polish Army and our full civic community better than you do,” wrote the head of the armed forces. The president thanked the soldiers and civilian workers of the army "for their constant readiness to defy all threats." "This attitude itself is simply a informing for possible aggressors, and at the same time a encouragement and a reason for pride for all of us," he added.
The national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz then spoke. “The safety of Poland, the safety of Europe is absolutely the most crucial thing for us. We are everywhere where our allies request us, due to the fact that Poland fulfills its obligations, it is always ready to act for the safety of the planet and our Alliance. We are an iron and good ally and we anticipate solidarity from all our allies. Being in NATO is being together for good and for bad, in hard moments and moments of large glory," stressed the head of the MON.
Deputy Prime Minister besides referred to the cooperation of the Polish Army and another uniformed services in the context of actions on the Polish-Belarusian border. "This is the answer to the extraordinary challenges we face, the dangers we face. Especially there are our thoughts – soldiers and officers on the Polish-Belarusian border, due to the fact that this regular attack on Polish safety continues. But this attack is resisted by their care, thanks to their cooperation, solidarity, but besides by the large determination of Polish society – Kosiniak-Kamish said.
The Minister besides recalled that the European Union recognised Tarcza East programme, i.e. the construction of fortifications and systems facilitating the mobility of own troops and hindering the movement of opposing troops, for a strategical defence project. – This is simply a key investment by the European Unionwho woke up during the Polish Presidency. All this work on building fortifications on the east border is to preserve peace. Politicians are liable for peace, soldiers are to be prepared to defend themselves. But the actions we take – strengthening the Polish army, modernization, shopping, the biggest budget in past 187 billion PLN, which was passed for this year – are for us to live in peace – said the Deputy Prime Minister. However, he pointed out that peace has its price, requires effort, and is not given erstwhile and for all, "that is why we will arm ourselves and build the strongest army we can organize." – At this point, it is 208 1000 soldiers, 50,000 civilian soldiers, these are hundreds of thousands of Poles who are active in building the safety of the Polish state – Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He recalled that the process of modernization of the army was underway. As an example, he pointed out contracts signed during the first 3 months of this year for PLN 20 billion, including First executive agreement for more than 100 BWP Borsuk, another agreement with the United States under the second phase of the Vistula programme and Apache chopper lease agreement, 8 of which, as stated by the head of the MON, are going to land troops already this year. – Another issue is modern technologies, improvement of drones, crucial contract for the acquisition of ground drones under the code name “Tarantula”, but besides extremely valuable weapons for F-35 and F-16 – Missiles that will service our safety – mentioned Deputy Prime Minister. He pointed out that the arms manufacture must be put on the agenda, which is to be "the flywheel of the full economy". – We're expected to have our own ammunition capabilities. and for the manufacture of state-of-the-art equipment, besides investment in artificial intelligence, which is an absolute precedence and must be present in all domain of the Polish Army – Kosiniak-Kamish said. "Here I would like to thank everyone who works in the departments, institutions liable for the fresh law. What we are peculiarly arrogant of is new strategical and Key Investment Act in the Polish Army and the defence manufacture for security. She's already in the Sejm. We are counting on its fast action and reception," he added.
The Minister of Interior and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak, in his speech, thanked the head of the Ministry of Defence for his cooperation “for example, the border service, where border guards and police officers and soldiers of the Polish Army work side by side”. – The support and engagement of the army is invaluable. Without this, there would be no effective border defence," he said. “A fewer months ago, a tragic flood in the south of Poland besides showed that if it were not for the military, its engagement and equipment, and later long weeks Operation FenixWe'd be in a different place. I would like to thank you very much for this cooperation, she is unprecedented," emphasised Siemoniak.
