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Poland Pivots to Domestic Defence Production as Army Expands
Poland is building a very large army because it is worried about Russia and is next to Ukraine.
It wants to buy more weapons made in Poland and nearby European countries.
This could help Poland get supplies faster during a crisis.
Poland is still buying major systems such as Patriot missiles, Abrams tanks and F-35 jets from the United States.
However, it especially wants local factories to make ammunition, drones and other equipment used often.
Spending on domestic and regional defence companies has risen sharply since 2022.
Companies from the Czech Republic, Germany and other countries are now investing in Polish factories.
Polish officials say this will make the country’s military supply chain more independent.
Poland is shifting defence procurement toward domestic and Central European manufacturers.
Domestic and regional defence spending reached 30.4 billion zlotys last year, nearly four times the 2022 level.
Poland expects to spend about €53 billion on core defence this year, or roughly 4.7% of GDP.
Warsaw is prioritizing local production of drones, ammunition and other frequently used equipment.
Foreign companies including CSG and Rheinmetall are expanding Polish production and technology partnerships.
- Who
- The Polish government, Polish defence companies and foreign manufacturers including CSG and Rheinmetall.
- What
- Poland is increasing domestic and regional defence production while expanding its armed forces.
- Where
- Poland, with partnerships involving companies from Central Europe and other countries.
- When
- The shift has accelerated since 2022; the report was published September 1.
- Why
- Poland wants faster, more resilient and more independent access to military supplies amid concerns about Russia and the war in Ukraine.
Domestic and Regional Production
Global Procurement and Major Systems
Defence supply strategy
Domestic and Regional Production
Polish officials argue that local and regional factories can provide more independent and resilient supplies to the front line.
Global Procurement and Major Systems
Poland continues to rely on major foreign-made systems, including U.S.-made Patriot batteries, Abrams tanks and F-35 fighter jets.
Conditions for Foreign Suppliers
Domestic and Regional Production
Poland says companies seeking access to its market should invest locally, transfer technology and pursue joint projects.
Global Procurement and Major Systems
International companies view Poland as a strategic market and are establishing production, maintenance and repair capacity there rather than relying only on existing Polish facilities.
Key facts
- Domestic procurement
- Spending on defence procurement from Polish and joint-venture companies reached 30.4 billion zlotys last year.
- Defence budget
- Poland is expected to spend around €53 billion on core defence expenditures this year.
- Share of GDP
- The expected defence spending equals about 4.7% of Poland’s GDP.
- Military personnel
- The Polish Armed Forces surpassed 220,000 personnel this year.
- Key priorities
- Poland is emphasizing domestic production of drones, ammunition, missiles and other frequently used equipment.
- CSG agreements
- CSG signed agreements worth more than €100 million with Dezamet and €150 million with Huta Stalowa Wola.
- Ammunition plans
- Grupa Niewiadow and KNDS Ammo France expect a Polish 155 mm ammunition plant to reach 180,000 rounds annually from next year.
Quotes
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz
Poland’s Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
“This is not merely an investment to ensure we have a highly developed defence industry, which serves as a driving force for the Polish economy, but a matter of supply chain independence.”
theprint.in
“Poland is a strategic market for CSG and one of the key directions for our long-term development and expansion of production capabilities.”
theprint.in
Sources
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