Defence Ministry forced to make big cuts in light of serious lack of funds

Defense Minister Bronislaw Komorowski presented a new six-year army financing program, given the military is currently facing a serious lack of resources. Under the proposal, Poland would refrain from purchasing new multi-purpose jets before 2006, slashing the army's budget to 1.95% of GDP from 2001 to 2006. Additionally, the Ministry is planning a hefty reduction of its soldiers, cutting their numbers from 180,000 to 150,000. As a result of this and other cost-cutting measures, the Defense Ministry says it will be able to save around zl.6 billion. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.8)