Poland's President, Andrzej Duda, declared on Tuesday the nation's intention to allocate over four percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards defense expenditures in the upcoming year, citing heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
The announcement, made during the inauguration of the annual Military-Technological Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, revealed a substantial budget allocation of 137 billion zloty, equivalent to approximately $33 billion.
President Duda underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting, "When we perceive the looming threat beyond our eastern border, history and experience have taught us that any price is justifiable to safeguard Poland's freedom, sovereignty, independence, and the security of its citizens."
He continued, "In the coming year, we are committed to allocating 137 billion zloty to our defense budget, which surpasses four percent of our GDP." These remarks were relayed by the Polish news agency PAP.
This proposed budget represents a notable increase from the four percent of GDP Poland had allocated for defense in the current year, a figure already exceeding the NATO-agreed standard of two percent. Poland's steadfast support for Ukraine has been evident since Russia's incursion into Ukrainian territory last year.
Moreover, Poland has recently voiced concerns regarding its eastern neighbor, Belarus, emphasizing the potential threats and provocations posed by the presence of the Wagner mercenary group in the region.
To bolster its military capabilities, Poland has actively engaged in arms procurement agreements with several nations. Among them, the United States and South Korea stand out, with Poland acquiring K2 "Black Panther" tanks and K9 howitzers.
Notably, in the previous month, Poland received approval from the United States for a $12 billion deal involving Apache attack helicopters, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its military readiness in light of Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In June, Poland took delivery of the first batch of advanced Abrams tanks, a purchase that includes a total of 366 tanks.
In April, Poland inked a significant £1.9-billion ($2.4-billion) air defense deal with the UK branch of Europe's MBDA, securing access to missiles and missile launchers as part of its broader effort to fortify its defense capabilities in a region marked by escalating tensions.
