In plans to replace its Kobben-class subs, Poland is no longer considering France’s DNS, which offered its Scorpene-class submarine, as a top pick for the $2.6 billion contract. The chances for the HDW-class sub manufactured by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems aren’t looking very promising either.
The Caracal helicopter was first chosen under the previous Polish government’s transport helo procurement program, but Warsaw’s Ministry of Economic Development decided earlier this month to cease talks with the Airbus helicopter company.
Defense News quoted a Defense Ministry statement that "Poland considers the negotiations with Airbus Helicopters on an offset agreement related to the contract to purchase multi-purpose helicopters to be terminated. The contractor did not present an offset agreement that would sufficiently secure the economic interest and security of the Polish state."
This decision strained France and Poland’s relationship to the point that Paris rescinded its invitation to Polish officials to attend the upcoming Euronaval trade show and President Francois Hollande cancelling an official visit to Warsaw that was supposed to take place Thursday.
In a television interview, Polish Defence Minister Bartosz Kownacki claimed there was no conflict between the two nations, but took a dig at Paris saying the French "learned to eat with a fork from us several centuries ago, so perhaps this is their way of behaving".
