Domestic munitions industry under threat from German tank and aircraft deal

The defense ministers of Poland and Germany will within the next few days sign an agreement regarding the receipt by the Polish armed forces of 128 Leopard 2 A-4 tanks and 23 Mig-29 aircraft from the Bundeswehr. However, negotiators still have to decide what help can be given to the domestic munitions industry since, as industry insiders point out, the German offer ends all hope of an order for modernizing Poland's own T-72 tanks. Yes terday, Defense Ministry officials attempted to persuade Sejm deputies that acquisition of the used German military equipment would be financially sound, since the cost to Poland would be limited to zl.200 million to adjust the equipment to domestic conditions. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) P.J.