Poland Receives €44 Billion for Defense – But the President’s Top Aide is Furious It Can’t be Spent in America
https://konkret24.tvn24.pl/polityka/szef-bbn-nie-wie-o-czym-mowi-gdzie-mozemy-kupic-sprzet-wojskowy-w-ramach-safe-st8872202
Posted by Auspectress
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# BBN Chief “Doesn’t Know What He’s Talking About”? Where We Can Buy Military Equipment Under SAFE
Remarks by the head of the **National Security Bureau (BBN)** have sparked a wave of criticism from defense and armament experts. **Sławomir Cenckiewicz** expressed concern that SAFE funds cannot be used to “buy American or Korean equipment.” However, the foundations of the EU program are widely known—as is their purpose, which differs from what the BBN chief might prefer.
On January 26, 2026, the European Commission approved Poland’s plan for spending defense funds from the **SAFE (Security Action for Europe)** program. Poland applied for funding for 139 projects totaling **€43.7 billion** (nearly 200 billion PLN).
The goal of the SAFE program is to support EU member states in strengthening their defense potential. It was established in 2025 in response to the growing threat from Russia and uncertainty regarding continued United States involvement in Europe. SAFE provides **€150 billion** in support through low-interest loans for military equipment purchases, largely produced within Europe.
# The Controversy in the “Guest of the News”
The SAFE program was the subject of a conversation on Polsat News’ *Gość Wydarzeń* on January 26 with BBN chief Sławomir Cenckiewicz. When the host asked if nearly €44 billion for Poland was a success, he replied:
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He then justified his assessment by citing U.S. policy: “In light of the newly announced **National Defense Strategy**—not to be confused with the U.S. National Security Strategy—this puts us in a rather difficult position. One of the chapters there explicitly says that the goal of American policy, the **U.S. Department of War**, is for allies to buy military equipment from them.”
# “Why wasn’t the BBN renamed the Department of U.S. Interests in Poland?”
When the BBN’s X account posted a summary of the interview, defense experts and politicians reacted swiftly.
**Dawid Kamizela**, an expert from [*Strefaobrony.pl*](http://Strefaobrony.pl), wrote ironically: “What could worry the head of BBN? Polish security? Russia’s actions? No, the head of BBN is worried that we can’t buy U.S. equipment with a European SAFE loan because it’s inconsistent with the American National Defense Strategy… Never mind that SAFE money is meant to buy Polish **Borsuk** IFVs or **Piorun** missiles, strengthening our own industry. That doesn’t matter. The Americans won’t get our money—that’s the BBN’s problem.” He added mockingly: “Why wasn’t the BBN renamed the Department of U.S. Interests in Poland? It would be simpler.”
**Konrad Gołota**, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, was equally blunt: “The BBN chief’s statement on #SAFE proves that: he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, doesn’t know the rules or the countries involved in SAFE, laments that this money will be spent in Polish industry, and demonstrates a nearly servile attitude toward the USA. To sum up: it’s mind-boggling.”
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This title.. he’s furious .. I bet he’s not
PiS are famous for being American lapdogs, hope they won’t get back into power because they’ll be a huge obstacle for European integration.
>SAFE allows participation from third countries with which the EU has a **security and defense partnership**.
>This list includes: Albania, Canada, Japan, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, **South Korea**, and the UK.
>**The United States is NOT on this list.**
>While South Korea can act as a subcontractor (up to 35% of the component value), equipment manufactured entirely in Korea cannot be purchased with these funds
Considering the up to 35% component value rule, I guess that no money will be spent outside of the EU and yes I am aware that SAFE is a fund to promote EU weapons industry. I guess Poland would have to buy US and Korean weapons using their national budgets…
Then give it back e
If Poland doesn’t agree with how the funds are being distributed, the fix is simple: give the money to other countries and let Poland keep only what it thinks is right to spend on European arms and ammo.
Best news in this headline is that Europe, despite being a frustratingly slow behemoth, did find 44 Billion to give to Poland.
A lot of money, and a good thing.
Jesus, that sounds like someone looking for bribes US style.
Can’t funnel it to his paymasters or is it something different?
Here’s what I don’t understand about the argument presented by this Polish fellow
1. Allocate your own domestic funds to acquire American equipement, there’s no EU mechanism that prevents you to spend YOUR OWN money on American overpriced equipment
2. Use the SAFE provided loan to add to the defensive expenditure by acquiring EU products ON TOP of what you want to purchase from the American market
Simply put
If your defensive budget is 25billion/year and you’re looking to invest 10bn/year more, there’s nothing preventing you to use that pre-existing 25bn/year budget to American products derived from your own nation’s budget and purchase EU equipment for the remaining 10bn through a SAFE-loan.
The EU defensive industry is re-emerging after a long slumber, it should be self-evident that those industries can’t immediately replace every American product, but the increase in budget allocation will surely help those industries replace American products in the future as they built up experience through investments.
I feel like they’re trying to paint the SAFE-loan scheme as if its the total national budget of a nation instead of it being a supplement provided to stimulate European defensive industry.
No one is preventing a nation to buy F35’s with budget allocations made by the individual state and buy EU-made artillery with the SAFE-loan.
The outcome remains virtually the same; The state will rearm itself AND there’s a decent investment flow to EU defensive domestication….
What a dumbass, lol. Europe needs to buy as fewer American weapons as possible.
The French insist that the money is spent on European defense goods and they are right about that. The EU does not just need to rearm, we also need a local defense industry without a third party having a kill switch.
There are some capabilities that the EU currently does not possess, e.g. long range missiles like the Tomahawk, but there should be an exception for that in the legal framework.
Old habits are tough uh ?
1. This is LOAN, we pay it back with interest
2. PIS has no power, they can talk whatever they want
3. No we choice PIS president so one party didn’t have all the power not because we start to love them and not only that the KO candidate has been replaced with a worse one, just like in the US elections. People hate it, and idiots still haven’t learned anything.
This is a warning to all of Europe that the strong influence of the American right wing must be combated. The Law and Justice Party (the president is their pawn in the political game) is so inept that, like a trained dog, it obeys everything the United States tells it to do.
Unfortunately, right-wing parties have greater support among the lowest social classes, and there are always more of them than more educated and sane people. The same cancer as MAGA is eating away not only Poland, but also Germany (AfD) and France (Rassemblement national) from within.
As long as the left is in power, there will be full cooperation with European partners in Poland. That is why they must be supported.
I’m a bit confused. EU taxpayer money, EU funds, all known beforehand, why the sudden theatrics?
NB: I *assume* theatrics because I get a “Zaraz wracamy” when I click the link. 😉
Just want to remind you guys, polish ex president joined heritage foundation. Sometimes I’m ashamed I’m polish
Poland can spend this money on French or German tech. How neat!
PiS is pretty much a a Polish wing of MAGA at this point, but I’m disappointed KO (the party in charge) is tip-toeing around the criticism of USA. Trump and his handlers are pretty clear: they want Poland to be a vassal state, bled dry without any guarantee of security. And yet, they don’t want to say it out loud.
Typical PiS L
They can always give it back. We have other countries that would love to have that money.
The president and his advisors are dumb because they don’t understand the fund is not only to boost defence spending but also develop European defence sector.
Poland receives huge amounts of EU money -> complains. Classic Poland.
Why do you WANT to use American? Get our own defense industry going please… We have some air defense but if every EU nation were to spend their defense budget in EU instead of USA we would already have an AA equivalent equal to Patriot or better… Our own stealth is still underdevelopped compared to the fighters of the USA.
But we have scientists right here, we have legions of trained engineers right here… give them funding and we will have the same, if not better, equipment than our competitors…
For those who don’t know – the Polish president has veto powers and not that much else. It’s the prime minister and the ruling coalition and decides shit in Poland. So this is just him doing a “look at me!” hand wave.
The President sounds like a US tool.
These PiS and PiS-adjacent cunts would sell us to the US as 51th State if only Americans asked for it.
Furious about getting billions of dollars for free, alright bud.
Please, kindly ignore this shit-eating sellout.
If you don’t need it send me some…
Its vital to buy from europe for the industry to also grow… wich is critical for security.
Poland, I both love and am baffled by you. Why did you elect those clowns?!
European money should stay in Europe, help our own industry. Trump did a great job of showing everyone that “America first” includes Europe, why should we fill his pockets with defence contracts. Europe needs to step away from unreliable allies. I wish Poland didn’t buy all those Abrams tanks after giving their Soviet equipment to Ukraine.
With politicians like this, who needs enemies…
Firstly, the US will not sell you Tomahawks anyway! They have never sold them to anyone. Not even to Israel, which was allowed to modify their F35s.
Secondly, this money is not just for purchasing, but for development! Various European countries are currently developing similar missiles. For example, Denmark, Sweden, and Britain are working with Ukraine to develop different versions. If you do this together, you will not only have missiles, but also a factory that produces them and jobs for Poles who will work at this factory.
Give it to us then lol
Ooof sounds like someone is going to be asked for his bribes back, or else…
The advisor is a very bad advisor.
Feel welcome to return the money.