How Poland emerged as a leading defence power
Will others follow?
It has been centuries since Poland was last a great armed power, but the winged hussars are back. When Russia seized Crimea in 2014, Poland’s armed forces were the ninth-biggest in NATO. Today they are third after America and Turkey, having doubled in manpower to over 200,000. The budget has tripled in real terms to $35bn; in Europe, only Britain, France and Germany spend more (see chart). As a percentage of GDP, Poland is well in front.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Vigour on the Vistula”
Europe
January 25th 2025- How Poland emerged as a leading defence power
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From the January 25th 2025 edition
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A new Merz-mentum could reboot the Franco-German motor at the heart of the EU
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Investing in Ukraine’s own weapons industry will be the best bet
As Trump suspends military aid, what are the chokeholds on Ukraine?
The war-torn country can substitute some—but nothing like all—of the kit it gets from America
Europe vows to defend Ukraine, but prays for Trump’s support
A summit in London is stalked by the fear America will walk away