The Polish government intends to invest 10 billion zloty (about 2.5 billion dollars) in strengthening border security with Russia and Belarus.
This was announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaking in Krakow at a ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II.
"We have decided to invest in our security and, above all, in a secure eastern border, investing 10 billion zlotys (about $2.5 billion)," Tusk said.
"We are launching a major project to build a secure border, including a system of fortifications, as well as shaping the landscape and environmental measures that will make this border impenetrable to potential enemies," he added.
Tusk did not specify what kind of fortifications will be built.
Recall, Poland's border with Belarus has become a hot spot since migrants started flocking there in 2021, after Lukashenka's regime, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering a new unofficial route to Europe. The European Union said it was a hybrid attack on their borders and a deliberate creation of a crisis.
Then, the previous Polish government built a fence more than 180 km long and 5.5 meters high on the Polish-Belarusian border to protect against illegal migration. The defense system is equipped with a large number of cameras and sensors monitoring the border.
Also Polish Prime Minister said that he wants to receive $127 million for the construction of the European "Iron Dome". According to Tusk, the country plans to receive the funds as a loan from the European Investment Bank.
"On Monday I will discuss the financing of the satellite component with the European Investment Bank. We will receive a loan of half a billion zlotys (about $127 million), which will increase our security," Tusk said.
He noted that it will be part of an Iron Dome-type defense system.
He added that the experience of Ukraine and Israel says that one country cannot guarantee the security of its airspace on its own.
"Based on the experience of Israel and Ukraine, we recognize that no country can sustain the effort to create a safe dome, safe skies and reliable air defense over Poland, the region and the entire continent," he stressed.
Last month, Tusk announced that Warsaw wants to join the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).
The European Sky Shield Initiative is a common air defense scheme created by Germany in 2022 to strengthen European air defense, which is still in its infancy.
