Poland vows to ensure EU defence funding after presidential veto

WARSAW, Mar 13 (AFP): Poland's centrist government on Friday unveiled a "Plan B" for financing the modernisation of its military and arms industry, after nationalist President Karol Nawrocki's veto of nearly 44 billion euros in European loans.

Lawmakers in Poland, the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, last month backed the Security Action For Europe (SAFE) scheme, as war rages in neighbouring Ukraine.

SAFE earmarks funds for air and missile defences, anti-drone technology and other equipment, but the president's veto dealt a major blow to these plans.

The government said Friday it would ensure SAFE funding makes its way to Poland, albeit under more complex arrangements.

Conservative-nationalist Nawrocki, in a televised address explaining his decision Thursday, said the European funding "undermines our sovereignty, our independence, as well as our economic and military security". The SAFE loan scheme was developed by European countries seeking to reinvigorate their defence industry to face the Russian threat and respond to the risk of US disengagement from Europe.