Poland is creating the most powerful army in Europe: what is known about the massive rearmament.

According to The Sun: Poland aims to become the most powerful army in Europe, outpacing Vladimir Putin as the country prepares for possible conflicts.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced military modernization worth $35 billion following a recent 'deliberate' drone incursion from Russia.

A drone strike on a private house in Zhytomyr, northwestern Ukraine Getty AFP Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a government meeting in Warsaw after the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace EPA

Announcement of military updates

At the airbase in the central city of Łask, Tusk announced that Poland will receive its first F-35 fighters from the US next year. This will be part of a program that includes the delivery of 32 aircraft by 2030.

Tusk noted:

“We will do everything we can to fulfill our allied obligations, which are particularly important for us at this time.”

This came amid NATO's confirmation of its readiness to defend “every inch” of allied territory following the recent Kremlin drone incursion into Polish airspace. This situation prompted Warsaw to activate NATO Article 4 – a key point of collective defense.

Article 4 is a norm in NATO's charter that requires all allies to join forces if the security or territory of one of them is threatened.

Since 2022, Poland has acquired 'hundreds' of tanks, howitzers, and missile systems, strengthening its position among the most powerful military states in NATO.

Defense spending

The country has invested about $60 billion in military equipment from the United States, including 96 helicopters.

Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak emphasized that this military buildup serves as a warning to the Kremlin.

Tusk noted that Poland is “closest to conflict since World War II” and that the country does not intend to take risks.

In 2023, Poland spent over 4% of its GDP on defense as part of its cooperation with NATO, increasing the budget to $35 billion. This exceeded the two percent benchmark like in the UK and made Poland one of the leaders in defense spending among allies.

Tusk also revealed plans to strengthen the eastern border, which will be one of the largest investments in national security since World War II. The 'Eastern Shield' program, which is planned to implement by 2028, aims to strengthen Poland's borders with Belarus and the Russian Kaliningrad.

Moreover, last year Poland joined the program to create an advanced air defense system that will cover all of Europe, similar to Israel's 'Iron Dome'.

Russian propagandists often claim that Poland is next on Putin's list after Ukraine.

History of Poland

Poland has a long history of conflict with Russia that has lasted for centuries, starting from the time of Ivan the Terrible. The country has often been the frontline in defense of Europe against Moscow's aggression.

In 1920, Poland stopped the spread of communism in Europe by defeating Trotsky's forces in a battle known as the “Miracle on the Vistula”. Less than 20 years later, the joint invasion by Stalin and Hitler was the beginning of World War II that led to the country's occupation until 1989.

When Putin invaded Ukraine last year intending to regain 'historical Russian lands', politicians in Warsaw were already aware of the threat.

Putin denies that drones intentionally entered Polish airspace AFP AFP Polish soldiers participate in a military parade in Warsaw Getty

Warsaw has signed an agreement to purchase 250 American Abrams tanks, later increasing that number to 336, with 116 to be delivered as soon as possible.

Additionally, diplomatic agreements outline the purchase of 1000 K-2 tanks from South Korea.

Thus, Poland will become the largest tank force in Europe, with more armor than all other NATO European countries combined.

Poland has also requested 500 HIMARS systems from the US, observing that only a few of them have inflicted significant damage on Russian forces in Ukraine.

When the American arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced it could supply only 200 such systems, Warsaw turned to Korea to fill this need.

The military command has also ordered 288 K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers from Seoul, as well as 18 HIMARS systems, including long-range ATACMS missiles that Ukraine requested but did not receive.

Moreover, the agreement with Seoul will provide Poland with 48 FA-50 fighters, alongside 32 modern F-35 fighters purchased from America in 2020.

And the expenses do not end there.

Poland has requested six new Patriot air defense system batteries, and in September purchased 96 Apache helicopters.

In view of its coastline on the Baltic Sea, partly limited by Russia, Warsaw has also strengthened its naval forces.

Shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine, Poland signed a £1.4 billion deal with British weapons manufacturer Babcock to build three new frigates, which will later be constructed in Poland and named after the 'Miecznik' class, which are essentially copies of the Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates.

EPA AFP Polish military taking part in tactical exercises Getty Ukrainian rescuers working at the drone strike site EPA Poland is actively strengthening its military capabilities amid the escalating international situation, particularly due to Russian aggression. From modernizing the army to securing agreements for the supply of modern equipment, the country is implementing various initiatives to ensure its security. These steps demonstrate the seriousness of the threat posed by the Kremlin and Warsaw's readiness for collective defense within NATO. The political and military decisions being made in Poland reflect the country's desire to be prepared for any developments.