PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY IN POLAND

Abstract

This article presents considerations regarding the prospects of the Polish defence industry. It discusses, among other things, the state of the domestic defence industry, indicates opportunities and threats to its development, as well as the general assumptions of the Technical Modernisation Plan of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. In addition, it defines the essence of agreements concluded with entities of the domestic defence industry, namely offset, framework and implementation agreements. It also analyses the sources of financing of agreements concluded for the purpose of modernisation and re-equipping not only the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland but also other formations guarding public security and order, such as the Border Guard. The entire considerations end with conclusions, the implementation of which may contribute to the optimisation of the condition of the domestic defence industry, as well as to improving the security of the state and the effectiveness of the Polish army. One of the factors affecting the state of security of the country is its economic potential and industrial base. This applies in particular to the defense industry, which has been highlighted by the ongoing aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine. After only half a year of military operations, both sides began to experience shortages of equipment and supplies, and in particular large-caliber artillery ammunition. Currently, records are being broken in Poland in terms of defense spending - next year, funds at the disposal of the Ministry of National Defense (state budget, Armed Forces Support Fund) are to be 10% higher than in 2024. They will amount to PLN 169 billion, or 4.2% of GDP. Of this amount, PLN 53 billion, or $ 13.25 billion in 2025 alone, is to be allocated directly to the purchase of arms and military equipment. The purpose of this article is to define and indicate the prospects of the Polish defense industry. The work uses the literature studies method as the leading method, and the historical and dogmatic methods as auxiliary methods. A research limitation is access to classified information and information constituting a company's trade secret.