What connects Ukraine to North Vietnam, Laos, South Yemen, Ethiopia? Military aid from Warsaw.
Poland transfers arms to Ukraine free of charge, e.g. PT-91 and T-72 tanks, Piorun anti-aircraft missile systems, Krab howitzers. The value of this assistance so far amounts to nearly $2 billion. This is the largest military support provided by Poland since the fall of communism.
However, this is not the first time that the government in Warsaw has sent military equipment in the form of non-reimbursable aid – during the Cold War, weapons from Poland were sent to many countries and national liberation groups.
In the years 1955-1970, the Polish People’s Republic joined the process of decolonization, but sparingly, giving military support only to communists in Laos and Vietnam. This changed when Edward Gierek took over. Under his rule, organizations fighting against colonialism received free military aid: the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the African Party for the Independence of Guinea (PAIGC), the Front de liberation du Mozambique (FRELIMO), as well as the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, Angola, Ethiopia and Bangladesh. From 1978 deliveries began to the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) in Namibia and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU).
After General Wojciech Jaruzelski came to power and martial law was introduced, military aid to the Third World was discontinued, but from 1983 free deliveries to some countries (e.g. Angola and People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen) continued, some organizations (e.g. SWAPO, African National Congress (ANC) and relief is organized for the communists who have just taken power (Nicaragua).
The main recipient of Polish military aid was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRW). Never before or since has the Polish People’s Republic given so much support to the Hanoi regime fighting South Vietnam.
Policy 4.2023
(3398) of January 17, 2023; Story; p.71
Original title of the text: “Comrades without arms”
