US ‘plans to store heavy arms in Baltic, Eastern Europe’
“We will pre-position significant equipment,” the official said, commenting on a New York Times report that the Pentagon was poised to store battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many as 5,000 troops.
The Polish defense ministry confirmed Warsaw was in talks with the US about stationing US army equipment warehouses in Poland.
“During talks in Washington in May I have been assured that the decision will be taken soon,” the Polish defense ministry tweeted, quoting the defence minister, Tomasz Siemoniak. “This is another step to increase US presence in Poland and the region.”
The US official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the details of the report, which cited US and allied officials.
The report said the move, if approved, would mark the first time since the Cold War that Washington has stationed heavy military equipment in the newer Nato member states in Eastern Europe that once formed part of the Soviet sphere of influence.
The proposal, which seeks to reassure European allies in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea in March 2014, is expected to be approved by the US secretary for defence, Ash Carter, and the White House ahead of a Nato defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels this month, the paper said, quoting senior officials.
Asked about the New York Times article, a Pentagon spokesman said no decision had been made about the equipment.
“Over the last few years, the United States military has increased the prepositioning of equipment for training and exercises with our Nato allies and partners,” Colonel Steve Warren said.
“The US military continues to review the best location to store these materials in consultation with our allies.”
“At this time, we have made no decision about if or when to move to this equipment.”
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