Poland embodies what should be the new military ambition for every European country
In response to the war in Ukraine, growing tensions with Russia, and certain disagreements with the United States; Poland has recently undertaken a vast rearmament program to strengthen its military capabilities.
Poland's ambition is clear: to double its land forces to reach 300,000 soldiers and thus become the largest land army in Europe. To achieve this, it has significantly increased its military spending, reaching 4% of its GDP in 2023. It plans to increase this figure to 4.7% by 2025, representing a record investment in defense. It has signed several contracts to purchase modern military equipment, including Abrams tanks and Apache helicopters from the United States, K2 tanks and self-propelled howitzers from South Korea, as well as Patriot air defense systems. It has also acquired F-35 and FA-50 fighter jets, frigates, and air defense batteries from the United Kingdom. Poland has invested in advanced air defense systems, including AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and surveillance radars to protect its airspace. It plans to train 100,000 civilians annually starting in 2027 to strengthen its military reserves. This program aims to ensure that every adult is trained in case of war.
However, this rearmament is not without challenges: dependence on American and Korean armaments could, in the event of geopolitical tensions, harm the Polish army. Similarly, the training of military personnel, especially leadership, lacks proper follow-up and could lead to delays or weaknesses in the medium term. Nevertheless, at Empower Europe, we believe that the dynamism of Poland's rearmament is the best example for all European countries whose military sovereignty is threatened both by their historical allies and other belligerents.
Apart from Poland, France, and to a lesser extent Germany, many European countries struggle to abandon the outsourcing of their defense. This is a strategic mistake that will, in the medium term, be paid for in one way or another. Geopolitical blackmail against market opening is, in this regard, the greatest threat of this military naivety.
