US weapon bases set for Poland in mid-2016
PR dla Zagranicy
Jo Harper
27.08.2015 13:50
US heavy military equipment will arrive in Poland in mid-2016 to be based in the north-east and west of the country.
Dennis Drazkowski prepares to fire mortars during a nuclear, biological and chemical exercise in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Photo: cc/U.S. Army/Spc. Audrey Ann Hayes, 214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Polish Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told the Polish press agency (PAP) that Polish-US talks on the issue have entered a decisive phase.
"After talks with our US partners we chose two places for the bases of heavy equipment from the US Army - one in western Poland and one in north-eastern Poland. For now, we do not want yet give further details of where these places are," the minister said.
He added that the centre for exercises between US and Polish troops will remain the training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie in north-western Poland.
"We anticipate that the deployment will take place in mid-2016,” Siemoniak said.
Asked about the deadline for completion of negotiations with the Americans, the defence minister said he expected to "dot the Is" at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels in early October. "I want these cases to be closed by the beginning of October," said Siemoniak.
The distribution of US heavy weapons and military equipment was a topic of conversation during the May meeting between Siemoniak and US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in Washington.
The move will be the first time the US has stored heavy military equipment in the newer NATO member states in the region. It comes amid growing concern about Russia's foreign policy intentions and calls from Poland to have a stronger NATO presence. (jh/rk)