The news is impressive enough. Poland is finally buying 96 – yes, you read that right – AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for the needs of the armed forces. Included in the contract are multi-year systems support and… guess what: WEAPONS for the helicopters (1,844 AGM-114R2 Hellfire, 460 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which is the replacement for the currently used BGM-71 guided missiles TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, and AGM-65 Maverick and 508 Stinger 92K Block I)!
Also, with the agreement reaching 10 billion dollars, the Polish defense industry will take an active role in supporting and upgrading the systems, in the form of offsets, built into the main contract.
Bulk purchases from South Korea as well
Before the attack helicopters, Poland has bought many more, while as it has been announced, for 2024 the signing of 150 arms contracts is planned. In addition to helicopters, more Korean K2 Black Panther tanks, Korean K9 Thunder self-propelled guns, FA-50 light fighter aircraft (South Korean collaboration with Lockheed Martin, considered a “small F-16”) will be procured.
Also US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, South Korean-made K239 Chunmoo and HOMAR-K, which is a Polish hybrid of the K239 Chunmoo launcher on a Polish-made (8×8) Jelcz P883.57 vehicle with a Polish-made TOPAZ fire control system , various types of other helicopters, weapons, ammunition, unmanned systems, to name just a few of the most urgent priorities.
Sweden and United Kingdom
But the list doesn’t end there either. In March, Poland bought thousands of Carl Gustaf M4 anti-tank tanks from Sweden, while in June it took delivery of its second SAAB 340 early warning and control aircraft.
It also plans to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighters, while it has agreed with Babcock of the United Kingdom to build AH-140 Arrowhead frigates, in a program that will involve many companies from both countries.
The fear of the “bear”
But what is the threat to Poland that is the motivation behind this arms frenzy? But of course Russia and – at least for those who have a basic knowledge of European history – did not even need its invasion of Ukraine to realize the danger.
In fact, there are not a few sources that mention the presence of “Polish mercenaries” in the troops participating in the Ukrainian infiltration into the Russian region of Kursk. Also, intelligence estimates from around the world have given a particularly high probability that the Poles will face the Russians in a military confrontation.
Poland did not abandon its armed forces, because it prioritized its defense correctly, and from now on it will be ready to face on equal terms any would-be schemer in its East.
