World News Desk!!! Poland’s government on Monday signed a framework contract with the country’s arms manufacturer Huta Stalowa Wola for the supply of around 1,000 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and around 400 support vehicles to enhance the country’s defense capabilities. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said at the signing ceremony that the first four Borsuk (Polish for ‘badger’) IFVs would be delivered by the end of the year, reports Xinhua news agency. They will gradually replace the Soviet era BWP-1 IFV. He said, “I hope that the Polish Armed Forces will be equipped with new IFVs very soon. The time has come for the IFVs that the Polish Armed Forces have been using until now, the era of the Borsuk IFVs.” The contract with the IFV also includes reconnaissance aircraft, command, medvac, technical support and contamination detection vehicles. Poland has already signed large contracts for firearms and howitzers through 2022 with domestic manufacturers as well as with US dealers for Abrams tanks and HIMARS rocket systems, and with South Korea for tanks, howitzers and light fighter jets. Signed. Blajczak said in July last year that his country aims to build the strongest ground army among all NATO members in Europe.
–IANS
Europe News Desk!!!
SGK/ANM