Poland is steering additional money into its Cyberspace Defense Forces, with the bulk of the funds earmarked for higher wages for military cyber specialists. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski made the announcement on Thursday, 13 August 2026, after a briefing at the Cyberspace Defense Forces Component Command (DKWOC).
Gawkowski told the press conference that Poland is the most attacked EU member state in cyberspace and, at the same time, the safest, repelling 99 percent of attacks. He credited the quality of civil-military cooperation and the growing role of the Cyberspace Defense Forces.
The extra money will come from the Cyber Security Fund. Asked by WNP about how much will go to the troops, Gawkowski said the figures are classified and that the funding will cover mainly pay for military experts.
– People working in these units should earn good money – said Krzysztof Gawkowski.
Record spending on cyber defense was another point he raised. State outlays currently exceed PLN 5 billion, excluding investment programs; in the previous two years the annual figure was PLN 4 billion.
Technological sovereignty built in-house
Brigadier General Mariusz Chmielewski, commander of the Cyberspace Defense Forces Component, stressed that the cyber military goes beyond protecting against attacks; it also guards the country’s technological sovereignty. Units are building the most sensitive and critical parts of technology on their own.
– The parts of technology that are highly sensitive and key, we build ourselves – said Brig. Gen. Mariusz Chmielewski.
Chmielewski noted that the command employs engineers, often with academic degrees, to create and analyze technology. He described this as unique and huge capital that needs care, and said the Cyber Security Fund will help retain such specialists in uniform.
Allied AI models and Polish alternatives
The Ministry of Digital Affairs will support DKWOC in acquiring artificial intelligence models from allied countries. According to Chmielewski, the most advanced foreign models being sought by the cyber forces should be obtained this year.
– We understand how hardware capabilities and software can build our resilience – said Brig. Gen. Mariusz Chmielewski.
The Polish cyber forces are not relying only on foreign solutions. Chmielewski said domestic AI models have been used for a long time and are being employed to develop capabilities.
– We have had Polish models and cooperation in this field for a long time, and we use them to build our capabilities – said the KWOC commander.
The subject of cyber troops will also come up at the „Industry for Defense” conference, scheduled for 14 October 2026 at the International Congress Centre in Katowice.
Source: WNP.PL, Photo: Leszek Szymański / PAP
