Poland proposes to spend €422B from the EU’s Covid fund for defense.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said at the Defence24 Days conference, “You can’t get used to war.” He believes the arms industry should become the foundation of the EU’s efforts over the next years.
“We cannot be behind those who arm themselves from morning to night, seven days a week”.
He added that the EU must match or exceed the “evil empire’s production capacity”.
Polish government officials also proposed that the EU direct the funds remaining in the stabilization fund, provided for EU countries’ recovery following the Covid pandemic, for the development of the military-industrial complex. At one point, the Covid fund reached €725B, but now has about €422B remaining.
To support this idea, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on the EU to mobilize at least €100B for defense and build a joint air-defense system as the bloc contends with Russian aggression.