Poland is undergoing a significant military transformation, driven by its growing alignment with Western military structures and a perceived threat from Russia. The country has announced plans to conduct its largest divisional military exercises in recent memory, with Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz underscoring the need for a stronger military posture in the region. This move is seen as a direct response to Zapad-2025, a large-scale joint military drill planned by Russia and Belarus for September.
Poland’s military modernization campaign has been gaining momentum, with a defense budget that has more than doubled in just three years, from $15.3 billion in 2021 to $38 billion in 2024. The country has become the top purchaser of armored vehicles in Europe, with a fleet that includes American M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, German Leopard 2A4/2A5 tanks, and South Korean K2 Black Panther tanks. Poland is also producing over 800 South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers under license and building at least 300 domestically designed Krab howitzers.
The Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) program is a key part of Poland’s military overhaul, with a €1.5 billion contract signed for the production of 111 domestically built IFVs. The Borsuk features advanced technology, including an American-made Mk44S Bushmaster II 30mm chain gun and Israeli Spike anti-tank missiles. The vehicle’s design reflects lessons learned from the American Bradley vehicle, and South Korean firms may be involved in building its chassis.
Poland’s cooperation with South Korea has been instrumental in its military transformation, with Seoul’s defense industry supplying not only weapons systems but also helping to build local production capacity. The K2 Black Panther, Poland’s largest defense contract, is a 55-ton main battle tank with advanced targeting systems and active protection armor. Polish leaders, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda, have spoken openly about the possibility of conflict with Russia, and the country is close to meeting its NATO commitments on defense spending.
The implications of Poland’s military buildup are significant, raising questions about whether the country is enhancing regional security or inflaming geopolitical tensions. Russia, which already fields brigades equipped with advanced missile systems, may respond by deepening its military integration with Belarus and establishing new agreements limiting conventional weapons in Europe. As Poland continues to modernize its military, the region is likely to experience increased tensions, with the potential for conflict looming large.
