Poland pivots to domestic defence production

Poland is shifting its defence procurement strategy toward domestic and Central European Union — European production as it builds European Union — Europe's largest land army, aiming to reduce reliance on distant suppliers. Domestic procurement spending rose nearly four-fold since 2022 to 30.4 billion zlotys ($8.15 billion) in 2025. Poland plans to spend around EUR53 billion ($61.45 billion) on core defence expenditures this year, about 4.7% of GDP. The strategy prioritizes domestic production of drones, ammunition, and other frequently used equipment, while still acquiring U.S. systems like Patriot batteries, Abrams tanks, and F-35 jets. Czech firm CSG signed agreements to expand production in Poland, including technology transfer to PGZ subsidiary MESKO and contracts with Dezamet and Huta Stalowa Wola. Grupa Niewiadow is setting up 155mm ammunition production with KNDS Ammo France. PGZ will partner with Estonia's Frankenburg Technologies for air defence systems. Rheinmetall is establishing production capacity in Poland. Poland also offered to jointly produce Patriot missiles with Ukraine and the United States. This 'near-shoring' trend reflects broader European Union — European efforts to rebuild defence industrial capacity after the Ukraine war exposed supply chain vulnerabilities.