Amid escalating global tensions, Poland is stepping up its military investments with an unprecedented budget allocation for 2026. In a move signaling its strategic priorities, the country plans to channel approximately 200 billion zloty ($53.8 billion) into defense, coinciding with the largest edition of its MSPO defense exhibition to date. This event will attract around 1,000 exhibitors worldwide, marking a significant milestone in Poland’s defense industry.
The conflict in Ukraine has prompted Poland to increase its defense expenditure, projecting a budget that represents 4.8% of its GDP this year. This uptick in spending has been oriented towards procuring military equipment, primarily from the United States, including Abrams tanks, F-35 fighter jets, AH-64E Apache helicopters, Patriot missiles, and M142 HIMARS rocket launchers. Concurrently, the Polish government aims to bolster its domestic production capabilities for weapons, equipment, and ammunition.
Poland is leveraging the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) initiative, having secured loans up to €43.7 billion ($50.9 billion) for military acquisitions. This strategy not only aids Poland’s defense sector but also enhances the potential for joint acquisitions among EU member states.
On August 24, a significant agreement was reached between Poland, Norway, Lithuania, and Latvia to acquire the Piorun man-portable air defense systems from Poland’s state-run defense group PGZ, in a contract exceeding 8 billion zloty. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister, highlighted the pioneering nature of this agreement, stating, “It is the first contract of this type in which a consortium is not formed by companies, but by countries.”
Meanwhile, Poland’s private defense sector is preparing for the upcoming defense show in Kielce, set from September 8 to 11, with several new product unveilings. Among the key players is WB Group, which has been expanding its UAV offerings, such as the Warmate loitering munition and the FT5 short-range tactical unmanned aerial platform. Piotr Wojciechowski, CEO of WB Group, emphasized the company’s focus on using predominantly local and European components to support Poland’s “technological sovereignty.”
WB Group is not only enhancing its domestic production but also expanding its international footprint, with exports to countries in Europe and Asia and a production plant in Ukraine. The company is also collaborating with Saab to develop a version of its Gladius system tailored for Sweden’s military.
This year’s MSPO event will feature Canada as the lead nation, with 82 Canadian companies showcasing diverse military innovations. Canada’s participation underscores its efforts to strengthen defense ties with Europe, following its decision to join the SAFE initiative, a move that has opened avenues for further collaboration with European defense industries.
The Canadian government’s recent selection of German shipbuilder TKMS for a major submarine acquisition, alongside potential plans to purchase Gripen fighter jets from Saab, highlights Canada’s commitment to deepening defense relations with European partners.
