“The fact that Poland can finance arms purchases on such a scale proves your country’s success,” James Cartlidge, the Conservative Party’s shadow Defence Minister told the Polish Press Agency. The minister stressed that the war in Ukraine proves that heavy equipment has not become a relic in modern warfare. 

James Cartlidge held the post of Defence Minister until the 4 July elections. He was responsible for arms procurement in the Rishi Sunak government. He pointed to the Polish model as an example of an appropriate response to threats during a panel on defence challenges held at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham.

“Given the history of Poland, invaded from two sides during the Second World War, to reach a point where it can essentially fund something that ensures your ability to survive is a great achievement,” Cartlidge said, describing Poland’s leadership in NATO. 

Asked what lessons can be learned from the war being fought in Ukraine in terms of arms procurement, Cartlidge stressed that it shows that electronic warfare devices will not completely replace traditional equipment such as tanks. 

In terms of new ways of warfare, Minister Cartlidge pointed out three elements as the most important: firstly, the electronic warfare devices; secondly, the growing importance of drones; and thirdly, laser weapons, which could become a solution to the problem of ammunition shortages.

Source: PAP

Tomasz Modrzejewski

Photo: X @jcartlidgemp