An interview with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense

Today, the scale of the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces is unprecedented. Which programs are the most important?

Indeed, we are conducting an operation unprecedented in the history of the Polish Armed Forces. The scale of modernization is enormous and covers many areas. For artillery, we have ordered additional South-Korean multiple rocket launchers in the polonized Homar-K version, as well as more Polish Krab self-propelled howitzers, whose deliveries are being carried out. We are investing in anti-drone systems, including San, which has been contracted this year. We are also modernizing armored and mechanized forces. Using funds from the SAFE instrument, we have ordered command and medical evacuation vehicles on the Rosomak chassis. We have also allocated billions of zlotys to develop domestic production of 155-mm ammunition. Our goal is to achieve the capacity to produce up to 180,000 shells per year by 2028. We are also constantly strengthening the Polish Air Force. On the Polish Air Force Day, five more F-35A aircraft arrived in Poland. We are doing everything to have tanker aircraft in the Polish Armed Forces as soon as possible, since this will allow us to fully utilize the fighter jets.

How quickly are our capabilities to operate the F-35 improving?

We already have eight pilots ready to fully use the F-35, and another four will soon arrive in Poland. The air base in Łask already has infrastructure prepared in accordance with very strict requirements for the service of fifth-generation aircraft, and work is underway at the Świdwin base.

So far, we have ordered two F-35 squadrons. Are we really planning to buy two more?

The purchase of two additional F-35 squadrons was included in the Polish Armed Forces Development Program for 2025–2039. We are not talking about a political declaration, but an element of a broader, systemic plan to modernize the Polish Air Force. It includes not only the F-35s, but also the FA-50s, for which we have bought armament and simulators, as well as the modernization of the F-16s to the F16V standard. In addition, we are going to expand airport infrastructure, purchase AH-64E Apache helicopters and the already mentioned tanker aircraft.

Do we already know when a decision will be made on the specific parameters and time of purchasing additional F-35s?

We will provide the dates and technical details concerning the aircraft we are planning to buy closer to the moment of finalizing talks with the manufacturer.

What about heavy transport aircraft?

We have received an offer to purchase heavy A400 Atlas transport aircraft. Their manufacturer is proposing the first deliveries already in 2028. These are state-of-the-art machines – extremely fast and capable of landing on rough airfields. They would certainly increase the capability of the air force to transport the largest loads. We are currently examining the needs of our army and determining what level of cooperation with the Polish defense industry we could count on from the manufacturer.

Recently, the modernization of the Polish Navy has significantly accelerated. Behind us is the launch of the Wicher frigate. Three vessels of this type have been ordered. That is already a lot, but could the Miecznik program be expanded to four ships?

For the time being, the program includes three ships, but the Polish Armaments Group [PGZ, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa], which is building Wicher and the other two vessels at the Naval Shipyard [Stocznia Wojenna] in Gdynia, is interested in building a fourth. This is permitted in the license granted by the British partner in the program, Babcock. However, the key issue is assessing the needs, which we are discussing with the Armament Agency [Agencja Uzbrojenia], the Polish Navy, and the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.

Each of the frigates will have a helicopter deck, but the machines that are to operate from it have still not been chosen. Why hasn’t a decision been made yet on the successors to the withdrawn SH-2G Super Seasprite?

Unfortunately, the Kondor program has stalled in the analytical phase. The problem is to precisely synchronize the technical requirements for the helicopters with the capabilities of the frigates. We are all aware of the importance of this purchase and the operational gap associated with the lack of these machines. However, the frigates will be entering service in 3–5 years, so we still have some time to make this decision.

On the other hand, the Orka program has finally been launched, and we have signed a contract with Sweden for three A26 submarines. What are Polish expectations towards the foreign partner beyond the equipment itself?

We concluded negotiations with SAAB on June 29, 2026, signing an order for three A26 submarines and an agreement on industrial cooperation. Many details remain a trade secret, of course, but I can say that we managed to successfully negotiate the inclusion of the Polish defense industry in the global supply chain. The Swedes also made a commitment to invest in our industry and to transfer technology. On top of that, we are planning joint investments, including the development of strike, detection, and response systems.

Concluding the subject of aviation and navy, I would like to ask about heavy helicopters. Poland has already determined the course of action, but there is still no order.

There is no doubt that Poland needs heavy helicopters. After the retirement of the worn-out Mi-6s, the armed forces have only four heavy AW101 helicopters adapted for anti-submarine warfare, and we need machines capable of carrying out other tasks as well. We are currently in the phase of deciding how many and which specific heavy helicopters will be best for Poland. The most often mentioned candidate is the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.

Considering Poland’s geopolitical location, the land forces play a key role in the army, which is why numerous armament purchases address their needs, such as the Borsuk IFVs. Meanwhile, Huta Stalowa Wola [HSW] is working on a heavy infantry fighting vehicle. When can soldiers expect to receive the first HIFVs?

We saw the technology demonstrator of this vehicle during this year’s International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce – one of the largest defense trade fairs in Europe. The manufacturer says this version is virtually the final one, and the first vehicles might be delivered to the army in 2029. That is, of course, possible, but after the official presentation we still must conduct negotiations, tests, and after their completion – implement feedback from soldiers. It is a long but also a necessary process, because we want the army to receive the best possible equipment, and we want to spend public money as efficiently as possible.

The modernization of the Polish Armed Forces is not just about heavy armament. What is changing in soldiers’ individual equipment?

We focus on people. That is why we are developing Operation Szpej and replacing individual soldier equipment on a large scale. Steel helmets are disappearing, while more modern Kevlar vests and optoelectronic equipment are appearing. We are also working on the so-called Green List, a catalog of authorized products approved for official use. We want every soldier to freely choose equipment from it according to their own preferences. This is not just a matter of comfort during service. Better equipment increases the sense of security and translates into the quality of performed tasks.

We have ordered a lot of new equipment for the entire Polish Armed Forces using the EU’s SAFE instrument. What does this mean for Poland?

This is a historic achievement, negotiated during our presidency in the European Union. Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka fought for SAFE in Brussels, and later had to fight against the presidential veto. We didn’t give up. With a great effort by the Armament Agency, in just three days we signed contracts for the delivery of equipment from Polish plants worth as much as 119 billion zlotys.

The first stage of SAFE brought 60 contracts worth 119 billion zlotys. What equipment will Poland purchase together with other countries in the second stage?

The second stage includes equipment that Poland doesn’t currently produce, and which has to be imported. We already have some reasons for optimism. Spain has approved a framework agreement with Poland regarding the purchase of the A330 MRTT aerial refueling aircraft. At the end of August, we also signed a joint agreement with Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway. These countries will purchase several thousand missiles and hundreds of Piorun air defense systems from Poland. This is also an effect of SAFE. Deliveries are to last until 2030. I am convinced that by then we will have signed many other similar agreements.

The Polish SAFE 0% project is triggering emotions. Are there real chances for it to be adopted? Is the money from this project guaranteed?

It would be good to work out a project acceptable to everyone – both the parliament and the president. Additional funds for our military and increasing our level of security is always a good thing, and it is worth fighting for. Our project is improved compared to the president’s proposal in two key areas. First, it secures money not only for the Polish Armed Forces, but also for the Police and the Border Guard. Second, it restores constitutional order, giving the deciding voice to government representatives who – in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland – are responsible for the state budget and defense policy. There is also a fundamental question whether the National Bank of Poland is actually capable of generating a profit. We all know that in 2025 it reported a loss of over 35 billion zlotys, and has been in the red for years.

SAFE is not just new equipment for the military. What will the Polish defense industry gain from this program?

That is the common denominator of our defense investments – benefits for the Polish industry. We’re done with off-the-shelf purchases, without offset or technology transfer. Even if we buy equipment from foreign partners, Poland must benefit economically, militarily, and technologically. This is already happening. A service center for the purchased helicopters is being built at the Military Aviation Works No. 1 [WZL-1, Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 1 SA] in Łódź, and the only Abrams tank engine service center in Europe is going to operate in Dęblin. On top of that, Military Aviation Works No. 2 [WZL-2, Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 2 SA] in Bydgoszcz will co-produce Barracuda 500 missiles. We also want to create in Poland a service center for PAC-3 missiles used in the Patriot system. This means not only equipment for the military, but also gaining new expertise, creating jobs, and developing technologically.

As a result of new orders from the Ministry of National Defense, PGZ and private companies are increasing their production capacity, but we keep hearing about problems. What exactly does the ministry expect from the domestic defense sector?

Since Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022, our defense industry has undergone a huge transformation. However, it is still facing numerous problems, and there is no point in hiding it. That is why, together with the Ministry of Finance, we are preparing the Defense Industry Development Strategy for 2026–2030. We want to create a system that will speed up procurement procedures, reduce fragmentation in the sector and make it possible to communicate military needs earlier. We also want to increase the possibilities of financing development-oriented research, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, address the problem of staffing shortages, and increase the share of exports in production.

Our ambition is therefore not only to produce more, but also to build an industry that will remain competitive after the war in Ukraine ends.

Exactly. We want to create a system that will help to solve the problems of the defense industry. Ultimately, however, the key role will fall to the management of individual companies and consortia. They are the ones who must demonstrate openness to change. If the development of the Polish defense sector is to be sustained after the conflict in Ukraine ends and the situation in Europe stabilizes, our products must be innovative and reach markets all over the world.

Let’s return to the armed forces and look at future development plans. What will the Polish Armed Forces look like after 2030? What new modernization programs are planned?

We have adopted the Polish Armed Forces Development Program for 2025–2039. It focuses on several key areas. First, we are focusing on multi-domain operations. We are developing all branches of the armed forces evenly. We want them to be not only modern, but also ready for broad and precise cooperation. Second, we are developing deterrence both through denial of access and retaliation. That is why we are strengthening not only air defense, missile defense, and anti-drone defense, but also long-range strike forces. The program also provides for extensive dronization, robotization, and the use of artificial intelligence. However, we need people to operate all this modern equipment.

Speaking about soldiers – how large will the Polish army be in the future?

We are implementing the Army 500 project. We assume reaching a level of half a million soldiers by 2039 – 300,000 in active service and 200,000 in reserve forces, including high-readiness reserve. At the same time, we are training civilians under the voluntary wGotowości program. For many people, this may be the first step toward further military training. But even if someone doesn’t want to join the Polish Armed Forces, they will gain useful knowledge – for example in the areas of survival, first aid or cybersecurity.