Poland is accelerating a shift to domestic and regional defense production to build Europe’s largest land army and cut reliance on distant suppliers, with domestic defense procurement rising to about 30.4 billion zlotys ($8.15 billion) in the prior year.

Notable collaborations include CSG’s expansion with MESKO, Dezamet, and Huta Stalowa Wola; Grupa Niewiadadów’s 155 mm ammo production with KNDS Ammo France; and PGZ’s partnership with Estonia’s Frankenburg Technologies for ultra-short-range air defense systems.

The strategy prioritizes near-term production of drones, ammunition, and other frequently used equipment while preserving access to high-end systems such as Patriot batteries, Abrams tanks, and F-35 jets.

Poland uses several approaches to build its defense base, including offset agreements, technology transfer with production assets, industrial cooperation, and GOCO models, each with varying practicality.

Examples illustrating capabilities range from local assembly to full maintenance, repair, and overhaul, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, Narew air defense with CAMM-ER missiles, Wisła radar components, Orka submarines, and Leopard tank modernization.

Other notable programs include the K9 howitzer, Wisła air defense, Narew, K2 tank, Homar-K, Orka submarines, and LTAMDS maintenance capabilities, showing a breadth of domestic modernization and production.

Challenges include the costs of absorbing new technology, adapting infrastructure, and the need for a centralized state–industry coordination body to streamline defense sector relations.

Polonization, as explained by a senior official, is practiced through life-cycle capabilities in Poland, including direct foreign contractor involvement, Polish firms, or licensed transfers, rather than a strict legal definition.

Key partnerships highlighted include WB Electronics with Hanwha Aerospace; CAMM-ER missiles produced by PGZ Capital Group; and involvement of WZU, PIT-Radwar, and OBRC TM in advancing domestic capabilities, plus a joint venture for Homar-K missile production.

Concrete models include offset agreements under Foreign Military Sales, direct technology transfer and asset handovers to Polish entities, and broader industrial cooperation such as joint ventures for domestic production.

The overarching goal is to build domestic defense industry competencies to ensure readiness and strategic autonomy, while pursuing selective partnerships and know-how transfer.

An exception noted is the 2020 F-35 purchase, which lacked a polonization framework at the time due to late participation and offset considerations, though in 2025 Lockheed Martin signaled willingness to establish a Poland-based F-35 training center.