Defence sector gets government boost

According to the Rzeczpospolita daily, the cash injection is one of the largest for a number of years which is geared towards innovation in the defence sector.

Bumar is to receive 90 million zloty in government subsidies by the end of 2011, but only on the condition that new weapons are produced as a result of the research and development.

The announcement comes as prototypes of new defence systems are to be shown at the MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition which starts in the southern town of Kielce, today.

The exhibition, which runs until Thursday, will host defence ministers from around 30 countries, as well present military equipment from 360 suppliers from 26 countries.

“Support for innovation in Bumar is good news,” editor-in-chief of the independent military monthly Nowa Technika Wojskowa [New Military Technology], Andrzej Kinski told Rzeczpospolita, adding that the cash boost will allow Bumar to concentrate on new technologies and not merely on older equipment constructed under licence from Russia.

According to the daily, a number of key projects include the development of intelligent shells for the “Krab” 155mm self-propelled howitzer as well as for the “Rak” self-propelled mortar unit.

Bumar is also working on a new infantry fighting vehicle (IVF) based on the Polish Anders platform. The government aid will also allow the defence company finish working on a new family of MSBS rifles. (jb)