“The development of the Polish defense industry is necessary, but it should not automatically mean preferential treatment for companies directly controlled by the government,” the report said.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz last month underlined that the government aims to develop the country’s military-industrial complex, saying: “We are building a strong army, strengthening security, and investing in Poland’s future.”
But favoring domestic companies risks clashing with the government’s drive to rearm as quickly as possible; Warsaw wants to buy tanks, jets and missiles to deter Russia, although that goal does pose problems for its domestic arms industry.
About 60 percent of Poland’s defense spending goes on imports, “and that won’t change quickly,” said Świerczyński. Most arms imports come from South Korea and the United States, including systems like K2 Black Panther tanks and F-35A fighter jets.
“In 2022, we were looking for ready-made solutions and products because we felt threatened,” said Leszkiewicz. “Today, we are trying to take every opportunity to Polonize production. We are now hardly buying ready-made products, except where we really lack a particular capability.” One of PGZ’s subsidiaries will be building K2 tanks starting in 2028.
“I do see an effort to increase Polish intellectual property,” said Kozioł, the defense analyst, adding that it’s still unclear if the government’s effort to shift contracts to Polish firms will lessen the reliance on foreign technology.