Poland pivots to home-grown defence production as it builds Europe’s biggest army

Poland is shifting its focus to domestic and Central European defense companies as it aims to build Europe's largest army. The nation is spending around US$61.45 billion on core defense spending this year, making it the fourth-highest spender in the EU after France, Italy, and Germany. This strategy is driven by the need for supply chain independence and the potential economic benefits of a robust defense industry.

In the past year, Polish defense procurement from domestic companies has increased nearly fourfold to zł30.4 billion (US$8.15 billion), as reported by Armaments Agency data. As Poland shares a border with Ukraine and sees Russia as an existential threat, it is prioritizing the development of a powerful land army. Polish officials emphasize that expanding domestic and regional production of drones, ammunition, and other frequently used equipment has become a priority.

This shift aligns with a broader European trend as governments seek to build resilient defense industrial capacities. Czech-based CSG, a major supplier of ammunition to Ukraine, has signed agreements with Polish defense firms to expand production in Poland. Additionally, Poland is exploring industrial cooperation with countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, and Germany, with companies like Rheinmetall establishing production capacity in the country to bolster its defense industrial system.