Poland’s Defense Ministry said the celebration of Polish Army Day on Tuesday would be marked by a showcase that includes 200 units of Polish and foreign military equipment, 92 aircraft and 2,000 service members.
The parade included some of the latest technology Poland has in its arsenal, including US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks, South Korean K2 tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS rocket launchers, as well as US-made Patriot missile batteries systems, which are part of the Polish “WISŁA” air defense system.
Read more: Poland Deploys Military Personnel to Belarus Border Amid Escalating Tensions
Also on display were F-16 fighter planes, South Korean FA-50 fighters and K9 howitzers. A U.S. Air Force F-35 roared overhead, in a sign that Poland was also purchasing these advanced fighter planes.
Polish-made equipment including Krab tracked gun-howitzers and Rosomak armored transporters were also featured.
President Andrzej Duda, the chief commander of the armed forces, said in his opening speech that the protection of Poland's eastern border is a key element of state policy. He also noted that Poland is supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia's aggression of almost 18 months.
“The defense of our eastern border, the border of the European Union and of NATO is today a key element of Poland's state interest," Duda said.
Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland’s conservative government has focused on strengthening the armed forces and has spent more than $16 billion on tanks, missile interceptor systems and fighter jets, many purchased from the U.S. and South Korea.
Duda said Poland's defense budget this year will be a record 137 billion zlotys ($34 billion) or some 4% of the Gross Domestic Product, the highest proportion in all of NATO.
“The goal of this huge modernization is to equip Poland's armed forces and create such a defense system that no one ever dares attack us, that Polish soldiers will never need to fight,” Duda said, while voicing his respect for the military.
Responding to criticism that Poland, a nation of some 37 million, was taking out huge loans to make the purchases, Duda said: "We cannot afford to be idle this is why we are strengthening our armed forces here and now."
The parade was held in Poland's capital, which was vastly destroyed during World War II, on the anniversary of the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, in which Polish troops defeated Bolshevik forces advancing on Europe.
Poland has emerged as one of Europe’s leading military powers in recent years after pouring billions into new equipment following Russia’s decision to annex the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014. Warsaw’s diplomatic clout has also grown in the wake of the instrumental role it has played in supporting Ukraine since Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Last week, Poland announced the deployment of thousands of additional troops to its eastern border as concern mounts over the presence of Russian Wagner mercenary forces in Belarus.
Read more: Poland Revealed the Forces Currently Stationed on the Border With Belarus
