Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak announced on Wednesday that Polish troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan faster than planned, according to local media. The first step will be a reduction to 500 soldiers by May. "2014 is a year of many priorities. The withdrawal of Polish troops from Afghanistan is the most significant one. Our contingent will be reduced to about 500 soldiers by May 2014. Heavy equipment, including helicopters and armored transporters, will also return to Poland by May," said Siemoniak. He also confirmed that the decision had been made in consultation with Poland's NATO allies. Poland had earlier planned to reduce its final contingent to 1,000 soldiers by the end of 2014. Siemoniak also said that modernization of the Polish Army was a priority for this year and reiterated Poland's aim to conclude the tender for 70 multi-purpose helicopters this year. He expressed satisfaction that the Italian Aermacchi M-346 aircraft had reached the final stage of the tender for a jet trainer. The ministry will also ask four countries to send offers for the construction of three submarines for Poland.