Polish Army considers leasing equipment from the Bundeswehr

Defense Minister Bronislaw Komorowski has confirmed that in recent months the Polish Army has held talks with the German Bundeswehr regarding the lease of equipment, including Leopard II tanks. "In the past the commanders of Poland's ground forces were neither for nor against leasing German equipment. I hope the new commanding staff will settle the matter," said Komorowski. He had also promised to announce by the end of the year if any one of the four major modernization programs required by the army will be implemented. The four programs involve purchases of new armored personnel vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters, and the air defense system Loara. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 4