Poland pivots to homegrown defense production as it builds Europe’s biggest army

Polish Navy frigate ORP Wicher sits on a semisubmersible barge, following the christening and naming ceremony, marking the official start of the launch operation of the ship, at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, in Gdynia, Poland, on Aug. 12. | REUTERS

REUTERS

Sep 1, 2026

WARSAW/GDANSK/PRAGUE – As Poland builds Europe’s biggest army, it is pivoting toward domestic and other central European defense companies to reduce reliance on far-flung suppliers unable to quickly ramp up deliveries, government officials and companies say.

Polish spending on defense procurement from domestic companies, including joint ventures with other central European companies, has risen nearly four-fold since 2022 to 30.4 billion zlotys ($8.15 billion) last year, according to Armaments Agency data.

While the Ukraine conflict has prompted higher defense spending across Europe, in Poland, it’s a top priority as the country shares a border with Ukraine and sees Russia as an existential threat, officials say.

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