For years, Poland was primarily a spectator in European defense projects, often criticized for staying on the sidelines. Now the country has shifted from being a joiner to a builder – developing combat capabilities faster, cheaper, and more effectively than many multinational initiatives. Yet there are still areas where cooperation, especially with Ukraine, could quickly fill critical gaps.
Poland’s transformation is most visible in its armored forces. While the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) has been stuck in concept phase since 2017 – with no prototype and constant disputes over work sharing – Poland has already bought and begun local production of K2 tanks. Within two years, the K2PL will be manufactured domestically. Similarly, the European Eurodrone program, launched in 2015, still has no serial deliveries in 2026, with costs up 40%. In the same period, Poland completed development and started production of its own Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, integrating it with domestic systems like Topaz and Fonet. The contrast between paper projects and real hardware is stark.
Learning from the F-35 mistake
Poland’s decision not to join the Joint Strike Fighter program in 2001 is now widely seen as a strategic error. Partner nations gained technology access, industrial offsets, and preferential purchase terms, while Poland buys F-35s as an export client – paying full price and missing out on production and profit sharing.
Former Polish Air Force inspector General Tomasz Drewniak argues that the same mistake must not be repeated with the next-generation fighter. – Poland should participate in the European next-generation fighter program. Only involvement gives access to technologies you cannot buy off the shelf, industrial capabilities, and real economic benefits, including jobs and production share, just as F-35 partners experienced – said Drewniak. He stressed that this would safeguard Poland from being merely an export customer and would allow development in AI, sensors, software, and systems integration – all key for 6th generation aircraft.
The Ukrainian opportunity
In July 2026, ten Western nations plus Ukraine announced a coalition to develop anti-ballistic capabilities, including the Ukrainian Freya system. Poland was notably absent, with some media suggesting Kyiv did not want Warsaw in the group. Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that the coalition is industry-driven and open to companies analyzing their options. – The coalition is industrial in nature; companies from those countries ready to contribute their potential have applied. Polish enterprises are analyzing their capabilities. The coalition is open – Tusk added.
Whether Poland ultimately joins the anti-ballistic coalition or not, the real strategic opportunity lies just beyond its eastern border. Ukraine has built one of the world’s most battle-hardened drone and missile industries, developing solutions during war that Europe has been designing on paper for a decade. Polish companies already have competence in systems like FlyEye, Warmate, Topaz, and Fonet. Partnering with Kyiv could give Poland access to combat-proven technology and experience no NATO army except the US currently possesses.
A pragmatic approach
Poland does not need to be in every European program, especially those that exist only on paper. Its own rapid development of armored vehicles, air defense systems (Wisła, Narew, Pilica+), and rocket artillery (Homar-K with 290 launchers and 10,000 missiles) already places it ahead of many allies. However, cooperation with Ukraine in drone and missile technology could fill specific gaps faster than any alternative. Given the evolving political situation, this partnership may be the most cost-effective way to maintain Poland’s edge.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Włodzimierz Kaleta
