President: Patriot deal a historic moment
It is a unique and historic moment that ushers Poland into a new world of ultra-modern technology and weaponry, Polish President Andrzej Duda said of the Poland-US Patriot air and missile defence system deal signed on Wednesday.
Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed a contract for the purchase of US Patriot air and missile defence systems as part of the Polish Wisla (Vistula) air defence programme. Present at the signing ceremony were President Andrzej Duda, PM Mateusz Morawiecki, National Security Bureau head Pawel Soloch, government officials and army commanders.
The value of the deal is USD 4.75 billion.
"This is a lot of money but we know, also from our historical experience, that security has no price. Let me express my gratitude to the negotiating team, Minister Blaszczak and former Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz," the president said.
The Patriot system is to constitute the basis of Poland's air defence for decades, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday. "We enter the ranks of the elite states that own it," he declared. "This is a new chapter in the history of the Polish army, a huge step forward for the entire Polish army."
Source: PAP
