Patriot Us in Poland: VAT delays the signing of the agreement

(B2) The problem of the applicable taxation had caused long discussions between Czechs and Americans for the installation of the anti-missile radar, today postponed indefinitely. At that time, I commented on the discussion highlighting the problems of legality that this could pose at European level (read here). The question resurfaces with the promised delivery of American Patriot surface-to-air missiles (manufactured by Raytheon) to Poland. This project should be completed within the year. The idea being to have missiles deployed on Polish soil but unarmed (read there).

However, the approximately 120 Americans who will be established in Poland for the implementation of the Patriots are asking to benefit from an exemption from all taxes, and in particular from VAT. The discussions stumble on this single point, remarks our colleague from Gazeta who revealed the information.
However, this exemption would be contrary to European rules. Only installations of NATO and other multilateral organizations are covered by the VAT exemption under the Community directive.

(Photo credit: © Raytheon)