The deal, worth up to 3.68 billion USD, will strengthen the Polish deterrence capabilities amid Russia’s threats.
“Great news for our military. The US Congress has approved the sale of air combat assets to Poland: JASSM-ER, AMRAAM and AIM-9X. This will significantly strengthen our deterrence and defence capabilities” said Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a post on X on Mar. 28, 2024.
Bardzo dobra wiadomość dla naszego wojska. Kongres USA zaakceptował sprzedaż Polsce lotniczych środków bojowych: JASSM-ER, AMRAAM oraz AIM-9X. To w znaczący sposób wzmocni nasze zdolności odstraszania i obrony.
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) March 28, 2024
The announcement on social media came after the U.S. State Department had approved, on Mar. 12, 2024, the possible FMS (Foreign Military Sale) to the Government of Poland, of a package including up to 821 “AGM-158B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER) All-Up-Rounds” (1.77 billion USD); up to 745 “AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)” (1.69 billion USD); and 232 “AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles” (219.1 million USD) for a total estimated cost of 3.68 billion USD.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” said the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
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“The proposed sale will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced, long-range strike systems for employment from Polish Air Force air platforms. This sale will further advance the already high level of Polish Air Force interoperability with U.S. joint forces and other regional and NATO forces.”
The “green light” to the sale of the huge weapons package comes amid growing concerns in Europe over Russia’s threats. During a meeting at the White House on Mar. 13, 2024, Biden had praised the relationship with Poland, reiterating that Warsaw was a critical NATO ally for Washington in the region.
The White House also announced that Poland will receive an additional 2 billion USD in the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program as well as an offer for 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters (whose sale to Poland was approved in 2023).
