US lends Poland $2 billion to modernize defense

On September 25, the US State Department said that the US and Poland have signed a direct loan agreement worth 2 billion USD under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program, to support Poland's defense modernization.

The ministry affirmed Poland's position as an ally of the United States and its important role in the defense system of the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“The US government will provide up to $60 million in loans, which will help accelerate Poland’s defense modernization by supporting urgent procurement of military equipment and defense services from the United States,” the ministry said in a statement.

Polish President A. Duda recently announced that the country will spend a record budget of more than 33 billion USD, equivalent to 4% of GDP, on defense spending this year.

Poland aims to become the leading modern non-nuclear military power in Europe. Poland has embarked on the largest purchase of US conventional weapons in its history.

In March last year, Warsaw completed a $4.75 billion purchase of Patriot missiles to bolster its missile defenses. In May, Poland ordered six more Patriot missile systems.