US Welcomes Poland's USD 5 B Military Spending

The US has welcomed the announced plans of the Polish government to purchase US-produced Patriot surface-to-air missiles at a total cost of USD 5 B.

Reportedly, additional USD 3 B will be spend on weapons from European contractors. The helicopters 725 Carcal also known as Super Cougar will be a part of the purchase.

The statement was released at a time of extreme tension between Poland and neighboring Russia, as reported by AFP. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has been largely implementing policies on modernizing the country's army in a program worth approximately USD 40 B.

Local government has stated that it intends to reinstate the policy of spending 2% of Poland's GDP on armed forces by 2016 on account of the crisis in Ukraine, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak will be visiting the US in May to further negotiate the conditions on the inter-government billion dollar purchase. Two Patriot batteries will be received by Poland up to three years after the deal, and five more will be delivered by 2025 if the agreement is finalized.

The plan is in alignment with NATO's missile shield project in the region that has received firm opposition from Russia.

US Department of State Spokesperson Marie Harf stated Tuesday that the US sees Poland as one of the cornerstones of NATO and that the modernization of its military base directly reaffirms the organizations' forces in Europe.