Poland is moving to a higher level of Polish-American relations," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz after gathering Pete Hegseth, head of the Pentagon. relationship is to be synonymous with arms contracts and industrial cooperation. “Our relations, investments, common defence and common values are the foundation of our security,” assured the head of the MON.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Deputy Minister of Defence Paweł Zalewski arrived in Washington last night (local time). On Tuesday morning, the Polish delegation met with Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense. This is the first visit to the Pentagon of the head of the MON after the presidential election won by Donald Trump.
“Poland and America together search peace through force,” said the head of the Pentagon after gathering with the Polish delegation. He recalled that the east borders of NATO were guarded by about 8,000 American soldiers. Pete Hegseth thanked Poland for its hospitality to these forces. WP soldiers, who together with the “American brothers” defend NATO borders, the independency of allies and the values of the Western planet were besides addressed by the head of the MON. – I give you the best greetings and large respect from the Secretary of defence of the United States from Washington. He appreciates everything that Polish soldiers do for the alliance, for the American-Polish partnership – Kosiniak-Kamish said.
The US Secretary of defence reiterated that Poland is simply a "model ally that does not request to be encouraged to be spent on defence". He compared our efforts to defend the country and to our efforts to defend security, to the US. On the another hand, Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz admitted that Poland wants its safety actions (e.g. through spending 4.7% of GDP on defence expenditure) to set an example for Europe and signal that it must invest more in its own defence. The head of the MON referred to the contracts Poland has concluded in fresh years with US arms manufacturers. As he calculated, there were 128 contracts with an estimated value of $60 billion. At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that these were not the last purchases that the Polish Army would like to make with an ally from overseas. He pointed out that the Polish side is besides curious in the transfer of modern technologies and in establishing closer R & D cooperation between both countries.
– Poland is moving to a higher level of Polish-American relations. It's our common goal with the Secretary of defence not only to buy, but to produce together is synonymous with our friendship. And so it is – the Minister of Defence argued. He explained that it was about creating joint ventures, Polish-American companies that could invest in Poland, but besides in Ukraine. Thanks to this, it will be produced – as Kosiniak-Kamysz noted – "the best equipment in the territory of the Republic". “There is openness and consent to the Polish-American joint venture project, arms companies investing in dual-use technology,” he assured. The Deputy Prime Minister besides mentioned the fresh regulations of the European Union on the financing of defence investments and procurement of military equipment (SAFE program). He stressed that Poland pushed through the agreement that EU countries could order arms not only from European manufacturers but besides from allies (up to 35%), i.e. in the American arms industry.
During the talks in the Defence Department, the question of the safety of the NATO east flank was besides raised – with peculiar emphasis on issues concerning the presence of US forces in Poland and joint defence projects aimed at deterring possible opponents. Part of this task is to make infrastructure for military needs. “We plan to spend $250 million a year on Polish-American infrastructure investments by 2035,” announced the head of the MON. He informed that Poland is presently spending $15,000 a year on 1 American soldier. "It is simply a beautiful contribution to our common defence and we stand out from another European countries," he said.
Military contracts, which means that the relation with the US is improving
The good relations between the 2 states are evidenced by contracts for weapons systems, as Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said, which legislature must agree to sell. Thanks to this, Poland joined or will join the elite group of countries with equipment soon. Abrams tanks, Patriot batteries, F-35 fighters or a combat management strategy that binds these platforms IBCS. – It is simply a strategy of connected vessels: Abrams, F-35, Apache and a swarm of drones, which will cover them and fly before them. This is simply a doctrine with which we go very powerfully in Polish-American relations – explained Kosiniak-Kamish on Tuesday.
Polish Army is waiting for transportation 96 Apache AH-64E helicopters. Under the contract, they will be delivered between 2028 and 2032. By that time, the US agreed to outsell the Polish army with 8 machines. The 1st Air Force base in Inowrocław helicopters should reach, as the Minister of Defence revealed today, on June 16. That's very good news. A year ago, before the Holy Polish Army, I signed a contract for about $10 billion to acquisition 96 Apache helicopters. At the beginning of this year – another lease agreement, so that we can have this equipment as shortly as possible, so that Polish pilots best master it and usage it – informed Deputy Prime Minister. – 8 Apache machines arrive in Poland on 16 June. We accept them for the needs of Polish armed forces. This is simply a large event," he added.
He besides recalled that pilots, technicians and infrastructure are being prepared to be adopted next year modern F-35 fighters. – Modernization and transformation of the Polish army truly accelerates. The F-35 are already in service with Polish air force – here in the United States, our pilots are trained for the time being – said the Minister of Defence during his visit to the US.
Today's gathering of Kosiniak-Kamish with the US Secretary of defence was already another in just a fewer months. This February Hegseth visited Poland. Close associate of president Donald Trump and Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish visited American and Polish soldiers at the 33rd Transport Aviation Base in Powidz.
The hero of the conflict for freedom decorated
During his time in Washington, D.C., Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish met with Polonia and laid flowers at the monument of Kazimierz Pulaski, the hero of the conflict for the freedom of both nations, the marshal of the bar confederation, and then a general fighting for the independency of the United States called the "father of the American cavalry". – We are at the monument of Pulaski, the hero of the conflict for freedom – for ours and yours. These ideals of Kościuszko and Pulaski are inactive valid. They are the historical foundation, but present the strongest Polish-American relations are being built – Kosiniak-Kamish argued. Bogdan Klich, who last November took the position of Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland in the United States of America, accompanied the Polish defence minister under the American memorial.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish besides met with Colonel Romuald Lipinski, hero Monte Cassino fights. erstwhile General Anders soldier was awarded the Golden Medal of Merit for the defence of the Country. The ceremony took place at the Polish Embassy in Washington.
- I'm sorry. On behalf of the Polish State, on behalf of all Poles and Poles, thank you for the freedom we have thanks to you, for the country that is the most beautiful place to live, for our beloved Homeland. You are a typical of this generation, which free Poland brought us all who are here present – said Deputy Prime Minister to Colonel Lipiński.
Romuald Lipinski (born 1925) was born close Brest erstwhile he was 16 years old with his household he was deported to Russia. After the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, he succeeded in joining the Andres Army. His conflict way led through Persia, Iraq and Egypt all the way to Europe. In 1944, he participated in the conflict of Monte Casino. He served in the ranks of the regiment, which on 18 May after many months of fierce clashes suspended the Polish flag on the ruins of the monastery on Cassino Hill. He was besides 1 of the soldiers Fighting to win Ancona. After the war, he settled in the United States, where he became involved, among others, in Polish activity.
In 2021, the combatant was promoted to Colonel. – I accept this as a tribute to those who remained at Monte Cassino. That's where the real heroes are. I only did my work to the country and to the country, but they paid for it with their lives. They deserve the top respect – the Lipiński portal dziewi.pl quoted at the time. Colonel Lipiński himself did not hide the emotion that Poles remembered the sacrifice of heroes from Monte Cassino. Last year the head of Polish diplomacy handed him the Bene Merito Honorary Badge.
Let us remind you that with The initiative of the Military Publishing Institute, at Cassino Hill was marked by an educational path recalling the most crucial points of the conflict fought by soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps.
