Poland Strengthens its Presence in the Region by Increasing Military Budget
Defence Turkey: First of all, It is known that Poland set for biggest-ever increase in military spending. Could you please inform us about Polish Defence Policy?
It must be underlined that Poland, in comparison to other countries, has as solid defence budget set following years. Act on rebuilding, technical modernisation and financing of the Armed Forces, which was adopted by the Parliament in 2001, secures 1.95% of GDP solely for needs of national defence.
In fiscal year 2013 budget of the Ministry of National Defence is over 31 billion PLN/ over 7 billion EURO, 6.7% increase from 2012. It is assumed that in this year 26.2% of the defence budget (over 8 billion PLN /over 2 billion EURO) will be directly allocated to the modernisation of Polish Armed Forces. Those figure also reflects growth, as in 2012 budget for the modernisation was by one billion PLN/ ¼ billion EURO lower.
Technical Modernisation Plan 2013-2022 envisages expenditures for technical modernisation on level of 130 billion PLN/ over 30 billion EURO within 2013-2022 timeframe. It is worth mentioning, that in 2012 the President of Poland Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI has initiated novelisation of the previously mentioned Act on rebuilding. According to the new regulations, annual growth of the GDP reflected in 1.96% reserved for the needs of defence, must be directly expended on building of new Air Defence system for Poland. We are assuming that such regulation will give resources ranging from 8 to 12 billion PLN/2-3 billion EURO in 2014-2023 timeframe.
Defence Turkey: What will be the new procurement programmes and modernization plans?
Currently Armaments Inspectorate is procuring 70 multi-role helicopters for the Armed Forces based on a common base platform, together with integrated logistics and training packages.
This Project includes the procurement of:
48 helicopters in multi-role/transport version for Army Aviation;
10 helicopters in Search and Rescue version for Air Force;
helicopters in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) for Polish Navy;
6 helicopters in Naval Air Search and Rescue version for Polish Navy.
Furthermore, from 2019 the Armed Forces are going to procure 32 attack helicopters in order to replace fleet of Mi-24 helicopters.
At present, to meet the requirements of pilots’ training, the Armaments Inspectorate is procuring 8 AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) with logistics and training packages as well as simulators of MİG-29, C-295 airplanes and SW-4 helicopter. There are also plans to purchase simulators of W-3 WA helicopter and PZL-130 TC-II basic trainer aircraft in the near future.
The Polish Armed Forces, unification of aircraft fleet, chose C-295 as a platform for Anti-Submarine Warfare package and now three planes are being procured for the Polish Navy.
Moreover, contemporary battlefield requires continuous Access to information in close to real time environment. Its implementation will be based on The Armaments Program: “Unmanned systems, reconnaissance and reconnaissance-strike”. Within a few years Armed Forces will be equipped with UAVs:
MALE;
medium tactical range;
short range;
MINI (including flights in urban areas).
The Polish Air Forces plans also to overhaul and modernize fleet of F-16 and C-130 and there will be opportunity for cooperation with the Turkish industry.
With regard to Land Forces, I must say that our defence doctrine requires to posses modern Main Battle Tanks and universal tracked platforms, which can be easily adjusted to many variants with significant fire power, manoeuvrability, high armour protection and capability to fulfil their tasks in extreme climate conditions. To summarise, our goal is to reach the capability to operate in every type of terrain, including the most difficult.
Next step in modernization of the Polish Armed Forces in 2013-2022 is to reach the capability of destroying threats offshore. Until 2022 Polish Navy is going to change old ships and support vessels with brand new ones. The already approved Naval Operational Programme addresses the need of procuring:
3 submarines;
3 coast defence vessels, units like frigate or corvettes;
3 patrol vessels;
3 mine hunters;
2 electronic intelligence vessels;
2 rescue ships;
and other support units such as rescue tugs and tankers.
Currently the first step of introduction of the Coastal Missile Division’s elements to the Polish Navy is being finished, as a result of the Polish and Norwegian defence industry cooperation.
Defence Turkey: It is obvious that the bilateral relationship of Turkish and Polish Defence Industry strengthens day by day. Could you please inform us about the activities taken in recent years between Poland and Turkey?
Although our bilateral cooperation was not very intense, since last year the pace of our relations has significantly accelerated. I draw your attention to our remarkable participation in the IDEF 2013 in İstanbul. It must be also said that Turkey will be a “lead nation” during the MSPO in Kielce in September this year.
I am in close contact with Undersecretary Murad BAYAR, Chief of SSM. Our numerous bilateral meetings also reflect good climate of our relations in the sphere of military cooperation.
Defence Turkey: Could you please give us more information about mutual defence cooperation between Turkey and Poland in terms of joint production, joint research and development programmes?
Polish and Turkish experts have performed a series of talks focused on the possible cooperation. Group of our experts also visited Turkey to observe your solutions within 6x6 wheeled platforms. Currently we are analysing possibility of launching cooperation in this sector, as Poland actively seeks for efficient 6x6 wheeled platforms. Moreover, Turkish experts came to Poland in the end of June to visit the Military Aviation Works in Bydgoszcz. As I was briefed, there is a serious capacity for cooperation in overhauling and modernisation of F-16 and C-130 airplanes.
Defence Turkey: What sorts of business opportunities could be considered for Turkey and Poland to provide common and mutual interest with each other?
The new era of Polish-Turkish military relations has just started; therefore we should patiently wait for tangible effects. I think that very close cooperation can be established in land and aerospace equipment. Potential cooperation within naval industry is currently being analysed. We hope that also in that sphere both sides will be able to launch a mutually beneficial partnership.
Defence Turkey: It is known that your delegation visited Turkish officials and companies in March. Which companies did you visit and what is the conclusion of these visits?
In March 2013 I was heading a delegation of the Ministry of National Defence and industry to Turkey. The main purpose of the visit was to assess the possibilities of cooperation between the Turkish and Polish industry, including the modernisation of Polish military equipment based on Turkish industrial potential. Turkish side announced their plans to start a serial production of MALE UAV (ANKA) system. During a visit to the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities the Polish delegation was familliarised with ANKA Project.
TAI offers potential customers a technologically advanced system UAV MALE class. A further Exchange of experiences in the UAV MALE field took place during a meeting of the representatives of the Armaments Inspectorate 4th June 2013 in the framework of the Technical Dialogue for Armament Program “Unmanned reconnaissance and reconnaissance-strike systems”.
As for Land Technique, a Polish delegation visited ASELSAN, HAVELSAN and FNSS facilities. During this visit, impressive technological capabilities and production skills were presented. There have been also identified potential areas for cooperation between our defence industry plants.
As a consequence of meeting, the Polish delegation together with the Polish industry representatives has visited OTOKAR plants in June. During this visit Polish experts were shown a wide range of wheeled and tracked platforms, as well as research facilities. In our experts’ opinion, ARMA 6x6 vehicles is one of the interesting programs. Industry representatives of both sides expressed their willingness to discuss further. The Polish WZMot will send invitation for a revisit of Turkish experts in Poznan. The meeting will be a chance to reveal Polish production capacity and to continue discussions about potential collaboration.
HSW, a Polish manufacturer of 120 mm turret system for self-propelled mortar RAK presented a proposal for cooperation on a joint bid for the above weapon system. RAK turret system could be assembled on Turkish tracked and wheeled platforms. In June the Turkish delegation and representatives of the HSW will hold talks about the technical feasibility of this Project.
As for the naval technology, at present the Armaments Inspectorate has set out technical dialogue to purchase vessels and military equipment for the Polish Navy. In a response a Turkish shipyard and HAVELSAN have sent their applications.
Poland party reckons progress of the Turkish industry in execution of the MILGEM programme with great interest and is very eager to exchange experience. We are interested in gaining new technologies and we do not exclude cooperation of Turkish companies with Polish shipbuilding industry in realisation of the Polish Naval Operational Programme.
Defence Turkey: How do you assess Turkish companies’ capabilities and Technologies?
We perceive Turkish industry as potential supplier of innovative, cost-effective and well adjusted to our requirements solutions. I think that Turkey is able to fill many capability gaps of the Polish Armed Forces. Although industrial talks are ongoing, I assess the probability of becoming serious partner as quite high for Turkish companies.
Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about the Polish companies and their capabilities?
The defence sector in Poland is diverse in terms of prosperity and perspectives. Profitable companies, developing new technologies, operate in parallel with those in bad shape.
The aerospace industry is the most competitive-the prospects for its developments are largely independent of the orders of the Polish Armed Forces, as it operates in international production chains, providing components, spare parts and the whole structure to mother companies, such as EADS, AgustaWestland or Sikorsky.
Also, military electronics industry logs good prospects of development, mainly due to lower than in other industries research and development costs, it allows to offer competitive products not only in the Polish market but even on global level.
Condition of “land” sector is more complicated. These companies are highly dependent on orders from the Polish Armed Forces and variable demand in foreign markets. Whole sector struggles with the lack of funds for the development of new products. Therefore, we seek to enter into partnerships with European “giants” or integrate components and solutions acquired on the world market into domestically produced weapon system.
Defence Turkey: Finally would you like to add anything for Defence Turkey readers?
Poland attaches great importance to the national defence sector and has initiated various actions to adjust the industrial defence potential to operate effectively in the new environment.
Polish Defence industry has significant for the development and production of selected types of weapons, consisting of more than 100 companies, representing the Polish defence industry (in defence), including:
52 entities with direct or indirect participation the Polish State Treasury, including: 20 manufacturing companies, commercial and R&D entities grouped in the Polish Defence Holding (PDH); manufacturing companies and R&D entities have not been consolidated in the PDH, including in particular: Huta Stalowa Wola S.A., Centre of Maritime Technique; 10 research institutes engaged in an activity for the purpose of national defence and security subordinated to Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of the Interior; 11 companies established, as a result of commercialization of Military Repair and Production Enterprises and private entities, including those with foreign capital.
Polish defence industry has great potential and it has very important role in the implementation of the development of the Polish Armed Forces.
