General Dariusz Łukowski, head of the National safety Bureau, caused a storm with his words about Poland's defence capabilities. He stated that with the current ammunition reserves, Poland could defend itself for a week or two.
The national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz considered these words as a confirmation of the hard situation, but besides an chance to show that the government is already working to change this state.
General Łukowski's words were in the Polsat News program. He suggested that in the event of a war, adequate ammunition would last for a fewer days of fighting. He besides stressed that the problem was primarily about an older kind of weapon, which frequently no longer produces combat agents. As a result, the military is based on what was collected many years ago.
The fact that the situation is not pink confirms the head of the MON.
“The production capacity that we found after the predecessors did not actually exist,” Kosiniak-Kamish said during a press conference in Jasionka.
He pointed out that this applies especially to 155 mm caliber ammunition – the primary for artillery.
Kosiniak-Kamysz recalled that in December 2023 an agreement was signed for the acquisition of 155-millimeter artillery ammunition, and a year later a bill was passed to finance the improvement of home production.
– Building a mill is not 1 day – he noted, adding that the biggest challenge is now facing the Polish Armed Forces Group.
The PGZ already has the means and instrumentation provided. MON besides opened the door to cooperation with Slovakia – in February the defence ministers of both states signed a letter of intent on joint production of ammunition.
General Łukowski pointed out that Poland is utilizing the time that Ukraine gives it, defending itself against Russia. In his opinion, the country should rebuild its military possible within 2-3 years. These words besides sparked a reaction on the political stage.
Simon Holovnia, talker of the Sejm and presidential candidate, commented critically on the general's statement:
I don't know why he's saying this. To scare people? – he asked rhetorically during the conference in Białystok.
He pointed out that the current government inherited serious negligence, including contracts concluded by the Law and Justice in 2017, which included 23,000 rounds of ammunition – as much as Ukraine consumes in 2 days of combat.
General Lukowski's informing is not unfounded, but it is not a signal of panic either. Rather, it is simply a hard diagnosis of a condition inherited from years of negligence. The government claims to have taken concrete measures: investments in production, global cooperation and fresh laws are to fill warehouses. Only that time plays a key function here – and the past of fresh years shows that in Europe this time can end suddenly.
