Defense cuts mean 13,000 fewer army conscripts will be called up next year

Rather than receiving zl.16.1 billion in funding next year, as envisaged in the six-year plan for the modernization of the Polish armed forces that was approved by Parliament in May, the Defense Ministry will instead receive just zl.14.3 billion. In addition, the Ministry is drawing up plans to make a further zl.2.1 billion in savings. This will be done by limiting the number of conscripts by 20%, meaning that 13,000 fewer new recruits will be called up to join the army next year. The Ministry will also postpone its land transporter and missile tenders until the end of 2002, to cut down on expenditure during the year. This will allow funds to be concentrated on two military bases in Lask and Krzesiny, which are being modernized to meet NATO requirements. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 6) M.T.K.