Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said today that the country will have the strongest land army in Europe by 2026, reports Anadolu.
“Within two years, the army of Poland will have the strongest ground army, and one of the most important components of the ground army will be rocket artillery,” he said at a press conference in Toruń in the northern part of Poland.
According to the Global Firepower 2023 military strength ranking, Great Britain, France and Italy have the strongest militaries in Europe after Russia.
Poland’s armaments agency signed a framework agreement with the US government this week for the purchase of 486 HIMARS long-range artillery launchers.
Blaszczak said the Polish military will have 500 HIMARS launchers in 28 squadrons by 2026, with deliveries starting in late 2025.
“The integration of American HIMARS launchers with Polish systems will take place in the next two years,” he said.
Last fall, the Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with South Korea under which Poland will receive 288 Chunmoo launchers, self-propelled multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) that can fire a variety of guided or unguided missiles.
Earlier this year, the ministry signed a $1.4 billion contract with the US to supply 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks.
Poland’s military modernization also included an order for 250 M1A21 SEPv3 Abrams tanks worth $4.7 billion, with delivery from 2024 to 2026.
Poland signed a law authorizing the government to spend three percent of GDP on defense starting in 2023. Some cabinet members said Poland would aim for four percent next year. Poland has been a full member of NATO since 1999.
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