Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Poland has launched an investigation into defense relations
with Israel.

Prosecutors have been investigating Poland’s deputy defense minister
for what is believed to include favoritism to Israel’s defense industry.

The deputy minister, Waldemar Skrzypczak, is said to have approved the procurement of Israeli platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles, based on his relations with Israeli officials.

“I have the impression that all of this is in retaliation against me,” Skrzypczak said.

Skrzypczak has been deemed the most powerful man in the Polish military. Over the last year, the 57-year-old general has been responsible for military procurement from Israel and NATO allies.

The Polish media reported that prosecutors were investigating Skrzypczak’s links to a leading Israeli official. They said the deputy minister lobbied for Warsaw to purchase UAVs by Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Poland’s Rczespospolita daily said the military lifted Skrzypczak’s
security clearance in mid-2013. The newspaper said the move was meant to
deny Skrzypczak access to classified documents that would disclose Polish
military requirements and give Rafael an advantage in bidding.

“As a deputy minister responsible for the purchases of military
equipment, I cut through many pathological schemes which would be
embarrassing to the army,” Skrzypczak said. “I was warned by lobbyists that
one day it will all end badly for me.”

  Poland official’s Israel ties prompts investigation of drone deals, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Waldemar Skrzypczak