Poland is a difficult NATO partner for the German government. The joint projects in the Ukraine war are making slow progress. Defense Minister Pistorius puts pressure on a visit to the neighboring country.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has called for rapid progress in Poland to set up a delayed repair center for the Leopard 2 main battle tanks handed over to Ukraine. Even if some questions of industrial cooperation are complex, solutions should now be found within ten days, the SPD politician warned at a meeting with his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak on Monday. “It has to be clear: repairs are an essential part of sustainable support for Ukraine, repairs just like the delivery of ammunition.”
Pistorius and Blaszczak had already agreed in April to set up the repair center. Leopard main battle tanks from Germany and Poland, which are used by Ukraine in the fight against Russia, are to be repaired there.
The center was to be set up by the armaments manufacturer Bumar-Labedy in Gleiwitz (Gliwice) in Upper Silesia and was supposed to start work in May. But things are not progressing. According to a report in the “Spiegel”, the German side considers the price expectations of the Poles for repair work to be overpriced. Pistorius spoke of “intensive, complex negotiations”.
“I believe that time is pressing now. Germany is ready to take responsibility – one way or the other,” said Pistorius. And: “That’s why we are of the opinion that the talks should be ended within the next ten days if possible, so that we know in which direction things are going.” He reminded that Germany and Poland are leading nations in Leopard deliveries.
Anti-German rhetoric intensified
Poland’s national conservative PiS government has further intensified its anti-German rhetoric in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections in autumn. Among other things, she accuses Berlin of delaying military aid for Ukraine for too long.
After the conversation with Blaszczak, Pistorius visited the firing positions of the German Patriot anti-aircraft systems outside of Zamosc. Around 320 members of the Bundeswehr are deployed there – about 25 minutes by car from the small town. The weapon systems are ready for battle on a hill near Niedzieliska Kolonia. Zamosc is not far from Poland’s border with Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for the past 16 months. The Patriot systems are designed to protect Poland’s airspace.
There had been political bickering between Berlin and Warsaw over their stationing. The then defense minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) had agreed with Blaszczak to transfer German patriots to Poland. But then Warsaw suddenly suggested that Germany should better station the Patriots in Ukraine. This caused considerable irritation in Berlin. Finally an agreement was reached.
Negotiation of a package
However, it is now unclear how the Patriot system will continue in Poland. One of the three systems is currently in Lithuania to protect the NATO summit next week with two other German systems that were in Slovakia. According to reports, the question of the repair center for the Leopard tanks and the Patriots is being negotiated as a package.
In a joint statement with Blaszczak – in which no questions were allowed – Pistorius did not commit himself further. On the other hand, Blaszczak expressed hope that the deployment of German Patriot air defense systems in his country would be extended. “We are interested in the Patriot systems remaining on Polish territory at least until the end of the year,” he said. Blaszczak pointed out that with the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons and fighters from the Wagner mercenary group to neighboring Belarus, the threat to Poland had increased. Originally, the German Patriots were only supposed to stay in Zamosc until the end of June.
Patriot (“Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target”) is one of the most modern air defense systems in the world. This can be used to combat enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. At a distance of around 100 kilometers and up to an altitude of 30 kilometers, the defense missiles can hit targets in an imaginary bell around the position – depending on the guided missile used.
Source: Stern
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