Poland’s Kosiniak-Kamysz: Cutting EU Defence Spending Is “Unacceptable”

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Europe must significantly increase defence spending and industrial production as security threats on NATO’s eastern flank grow. Speaking alongside European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius in Warsaw, Kosiniak-Kamysz criticised the Irish proposal for the next EU budget, saying it does not give sufficient priority to defence and security. “This is unacceptable for us.” He argued that this is not the moment to reduce security-related spending. “This is when we should boost the expenditures.” Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland is the biggest beneficiary of the EU SAFE programme and intends to use the full €44 billion available to it for defence investment and modernisation. He also highlighted urgent capability needs including low-cost precision strike systems, drones, counter-drone technologies, cyber capabilities, space, conventional weapons and military mobility. The Polish minister called for faster defence procurement and greater cooperation with NATO allies. He also stressed that Europe must rapidly increase the capacity of its defence industry. “I am actually an advocate for the war mode when it comes to production in the defence sector.” Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that Russia is already operating at a much higher level of defence production and said Europe cannot afford to lose more time. “The time has come to become ready to defend our civilisation.” He warned that failing to expand production capacity now would make the eventual cost much higher for Europe and future generations. #eudebates #Kamysz #Poland #EuropeanDefence #NATO