The 2023 budget adopted by the Sejm provides for defence spending of PLN 97.4 billion, or nearly 4 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2015, it was PLN 37 billion, or 2.2 % of GDP. This is an increase of more than 160 %. “Increasing the strength of the Polish army and strengthening the presence of NATO troops on Polish territory is a top, absolute priority for the Polish government”, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The head of government and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak visited the 18th Mechanised Division named after Lieutenant General Tadeusz Buk in Siedlce on Monday. 

“The Poles have entrusted us with governance at a difficult time and the war in Ukraine makes it necessary for us to arm ourselves even faster. That is why this year we will make an unprecedented effort spending 4 % of GDP for the Polish military. This will perhaps be the largest percentage of money allocated to the army among all NATO countries”, said Morawiecki.

Earlier, President Andrzej Duda spoke about the policy of strengthening Polish security through the modernisation of the Polish army.

“They are huge expenses; we all bear them. If it were peaceful, if it were safe, if we were in a different part of the world, maybe we could spend this money on other needs, but today, above all, we have to be safe, we have to secure ourselves against anyone taking away our freedom, sovereignty, independence”, declared the President. 

He pointed out that this is the reason for buying new military equipment and the modernisation of the Polish army is a necessity to guarantee Poland’s security and preserve its sovereignty. 

“Thanks to modern armaments, which are sophisticated, work well and perform excellently on the battlefield, it is possible to resist such an attack as the Russian did. That is why we need modern armaments. Yes, it is expensive, but yes, it is the best in the world”, assessed President Duda.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński