Poland is currently undergoing a military metamorphosis that is visibly changing the balance of power in Europe. A country that for years had to make do with outdated Soviet systems is now investing in a modern arsenal you would sooner expect from a great power than from a country like Poland. And it is doing so at a pace that raises eyebrows even within NATO. While Western European countries debate, Poland simply buys everything it needs to fight a modern war.
The motives behind that haste run deep. Poland borders Russia and Belarus, and has experienced several times in its history what happens when you are militarily too weak. The Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022 was the moment in Warsaw when political caution gave way to a strategic reflex: never again depend on others for security. The result is a large-scale modernisation that goes far beyond symbolism.
Tank power: Poland is buying 2 types of tanks.
The most tangible example is the build-up of a new tank force. Where the Netherlands will soon have 54 tanks (arriving from 2028) — a small battalion mainly intended for NATO deployment — Poland is building a complete armoured army. Warsaw is ordering hundreds of new tanks from two of the best platforms available worldwide.
The South Korean K2 Black Panther is one of the pillars. This tank is faster and more agile than the Leopard 2, and is designed for aggressive manoeuvres in a conflict zone. For Poland, that is exactly the kind of deployment it is preparing for: a situation in which you not only have to defend, but also respond quickly to an attack by a large-scale opponent. 360 tanks have already been officially ordered, and there are plans for hundreds more.
On top of that come 250 American M1A2 Abrams, tanks that have amply proven their worth in Iraq and Afghanistan. By acquiring both K2s and Abrams, an armoured force is emerging of a kind Europe has not seen in decades.
For comparison:
- Netherlands: 54 tanks
- France: around 200 Leclerc tanks
- Poland: heading towards 1000+ modern tanks in total
(Image: Hyundai, K2 Black Panther tank)
These proportions show how seriously Poland takes the threat. Where Western European countries mainly modernise within modest budgets, Poland is investing as if its security were directly at stake — and according to its own analysis, it may well be right.
Poland is also buying rocket launchers.
At least as impressive is the build-up of Polish rocket artillery. After the war in Ukraine it became clear that long-range precision fire is the key in modern combat. Poland has not only interpreted that lesson — it is acting on it.
The Americans are supplying 486 of the HIMARS systems that made the Ukrainian armed forces famous worldwide. These rocket launchers can destroy targets 80 to 300 kilometres away and changed the dynamics of the battlefield through their precision and mobility.
In addition, Poland is building the Homar-K system together with South Korea, based on the Chunmoo platform. Notably, a large part of these systems is being assembled in Poland itself. That gives Warsaw not only independence in maintenance, but also the ability to ramp up production in times of crisis — something virtually no other European country is capable of. 290 of these have been ordered
The numbers are unprecedented: almost 800 rocket launchers in total. (under construction)
For comparison:
- Netherlands: 22 launch systems (under construction)
- France: only a few dozen modern systems
- Poland: heading towards 800 units
No other European country, including the big players, comes close to this scale. It is the largest build-up of rocket artillery in Europe since the 1980s.
(Image: Homar-K system)
Deterrence the Polish way: better too strong than too late
The thinking behind this massive modernisation is clear:
Whoever is weak gets tested. Whoever is strong is left alone.
That is why Poland chooses not only to build the strongest army in Europe, but also the most credible one. It does not want to depend on allies, does not want to wait for NATO response times, and above all does not want to be caught off guard in a crisis. By scaling up its entire defence at once, Poland is sending a message that is heard in both Moscow and Brussels: this country will not be overrun.
And the rest of Europe?
Poland is changing not only itself, but also the strategic balance of Europe. Within a few years, the country is building armed forces that far outstrip those of France, Germany and the Netherlands in numbers and firepower. Where Western European countries hope conflicts can be prevented, Poland assumes that preparation is the only guarantee of security.
Germany, the Netherlands and several other European countries are now also taking the threat seriously. Both countries are raising their defence budgets sharply and aim to reach around 3.5 percent of GDP by about 2030 — a huge leap compared with previous years, but it will still take another 5 years to get there. And that the Netherlands is growing cautiously (compared with Poland) is logical: such investments involve tens of billions and weigh heavily on the budget. A country also has to be ready for that and feel the urgency. The Netherlands and Germany also want to produce domestically, which is logical too. But that simply takes more time. Poland, however, chose a completely different approach. Immediately after the Russian attack on Ukraine, Warsaw put its foot down. In 2025, 4.7 percent of GDP already went to defence, a level no other European country comes close to. Where Western Europe is building up, Poland simply pushed ahead. They did not wait for production lines, but bought part of it straight away. In the meantime they have built up production and will produce domestically. And perhaps they have little choice. They border Belarus and Russia, which currently pose a major threat. Let us hope that both Poland and the Netherlands will ultimately never need the equipment they are buying.
