Poland has announced a dramatic plan to build the largest NATO land army in Europe. The announcement came during the country’s Armed Forces Day on August 15, 2025. The government declared that its armed forces would expand to a core strength of 300,000 soldiers, with the ability to increase to 500,000 if required.
Poland’s NATO Land Army Expansion Drive
To support this target, Poland will raise its defense budget to 5% of national GDP. This figure is more than double NATO’s official benchmark of 2%. The step is presented as a direct response to growing security concerns in Eastern Europe. The strategy is based on the view that a strong NATO land army is the only way to deter external threats.
The plan will create two new infantry divisions named the First Legion and the Eighth Home Army. These will be added to the four divisions already in service. With this surge in numbers, the NATO land army presence in Poland could almost double its current strength. Officials explained that Poland cannot rely only on allies for safety and that it must guarantee its own defense.
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A new framework, called the “Constitution of Security,” will also be introduced. Its aim is to make sure that defense policy remains steady over time, regardless of political changes. This means that long-term military planning will not be disrupted by new governments or shifting party agendas.
Next-Generation Weapons and Domestic Production
The modernization plan does not stop at increasing personnel. It also covers new equipment, advanced technology, and self-reliance in weapons production. Poland’s ground forces will receive 1,000 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea, along with American Apache attack helicopters. These additions will strengthen the NATO land army and prepare it to handle large-scale threats.
The country will reinforce air defense by rolling out the second phase of the Wisła missile system. This system will intercept modern aircraft and missile attacks. At the same time, the ORKA submarine program will expand Poland’s naval power in the Baltic Sea.
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Poland will also focus heavily on ammunition independence. The government will open new factories to manufacture its own weapons and ammunition. One new plant will produce 1 million 155mm artillery shells every year. Another project will manufacture half a million tank rounds annually by 2027.
American and South Korean companies have already signed defense partnerships with Poland to support these goals. These agreements will help Poland build the production facilities and receive technology transfers. Officials stated that this approach is not just about buying foreign weapons, but about developing an independent and lasting NATO land army within the country.
Regional Impact and NATO Land Army Role
The scale of this transformation will also affect the wider region. NATO had already designated Poland as its key eastern stronghold in 2023. American forces established permanent bases in the country, turning it into an important hub for alliance security. With NATO now describing the Baltic Sea as an “internal waterway,” Poland’s expansion demonstrates its readiness to secure the eastern flank with a powerful NATO land army.
Military planners in the country are also investing in cyber defense and hybrid warfare units. These specialized teams will work with NATO allies to guard against digital and information-based attacks. This step forms part of a broader strategy that covers land, sea, air, and cyber domains together.
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Poland’s decision to spend 5% of GDP on defense places it among NATO’s highest contributors. Reports show steady economic growth supports this financial push. In the second quarter of 2025, the national economy grew by 3.2%, which gives the government the capacity to fund large-scale projects without outside dependence.
Poland’s new force structure delivers a clear message: security relies on size, strength, and readiness. By focusing on its own capacity and domestic production, Poland is driving one of the most significant NATO land army transformations in Europe’s recent history.