Warsaw: The change of government in Poland after the general elections Last October has not dented Warsaw’s appetite for new weapons. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to drive Poland’s military modernisation efforts, domestic and foreign defence companies are promoting their products at the MSPO show in Kielce.
Over the past years, the event, scheduled to run between September 3 and 6, has established itself as a leading trade show in the region. Since February 2022, when the Russian military launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, allies along NATO’s eastern flank have replied by boosting their defence budgets. Poland has led the way, aiming to spend about PLN 160 billion (US$41.5 billion), or some 4.2 percent of the country’s GDP, on its armed forces this year.
Speaking on August 15 at a military parade in Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his centrist government’s goal is to develop “one of the largest European militaries.” “We must promise today to our compatriots, but also to the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, that we will build a most modern military … because today, innovation is power,” Tusk said during the event.
The nation’s record-high 2024 military expenditure is to be financed from the ministry’s budget, but also from the Armed Forces Support Fund, a financial instrument designed to fund purchases of new weapons and gear. In 2025, Poland could further expand its defence budget which, if Warsaw spends the earmarked funds this year, could place Poland this year above all other NATO member states in terms of spending as a share of GDP.
“Since the change in government, Poland’s relations with Germany and France have noticeably improved, so it is natural that defence companies from these countries are demonstrating an increased interest in cooperating with Poland’s defence industry on joint projects,” said Tomasz Smura, the program director and management board member at the Warsaw-based Casimir Pulaski Foundation.
“Warsaw is planning to buy new submarines, fighter jets, but also various vehicles for the Polish land forces. This brings a number of opportunities for foreign manufacturers,” Smura said.
