Polish MPs OK plan to increase defence spending

The legislation passed the lower house of parliament in a rare non-partisan vote in which 434 MPs were in favour, one opposed, and five abstained.

Under the law, Poland’s defence spending will rise to 2.1 percent of GDP in 2020 and will then continue to grow until it reaches no less than 2.5 percent of GDP in 2030.

According to officials, Poland is one of only five NATO countries -- alongside the United States, Britain, Greece and Estonia -- that meet the military alliance’s target of allies spending at least 2 percent of their GDP on defence.

Poland aims to increase spending to modernise its armed forces, with domestic arms producers playing a key role.

Poland’s defence ministry says spending will increase by a whopping PLN 117.2 billion (EUR 27.4 billion; USD 30.8 billion) over the next decade.

Some of the funds will benefit the country’s new Territorial Defence Force, which is expected to be ultimately more than 50,000 strong. (gs/pk)

Source: PAP