The next year's defence spending is expected to scope PLN 131.7 billion, which is almost PLN 7 billion more than this year – the draft budget of the MON, which was welcomed by the Sejm's Defence Committee. This appropriation is intended to cover, inter alia, the increase in the size of the army and the expansion of the infrastructure needed for it and allied troops, as well as investments in air defence and unmanned systems.
– Defence expenditure planned for nearly PLN 131.7 billion is the amount corresponding to the level required by the Law on Defence of the Homeland, and in accordance with the limit set by the Minister of Finance," said Deputy Minister of MON Paweł Bejda on Thursday. This is PLN 6.9 billion more than this year. In the "national defence" section, PLN 125.2 billion (i.e. 5.6 percent more than in 2026) is recorded, and almost PLN 6.5 billion are defence tasks included in another parts of the budget.
According to the MON, specified a designed defence budget will improve the key operational capabilities of the armed forces. In-kind expenditure "has been targeted towards the accomplishment of precedence objectives": expanding the size of the army and associated infrastructure, developing air defence and rocket command support systems, strengthening the presence of allied troops, supporting the operation of equipment, renovation and maintenance of buildings, developing and utilizing unmanned systems, ensuring cybersecurity and training of troops. – precedence remains increasing the number of soldiers and officers [intelligence and counterintelligence]," said Bejda, informing that the set limits on individual expenditure will let for the maintenance of 238,2 1000 soldiers and officers. That's over 30,000 more than it was in late 2023. Currently, the armed forces have more than 220,000 soldiers in active service.
PLN 50 billion (of all parts of the defence budget) will be allocated to property expenditure – this is 38 percent of defence expenditure at the statutory minimum of 20%.
However, it is not the only means. Paweł Bejda stressed that part of the defence expenditure would be financed from loans under EU SAFE programme — so purchases they are exempt from VAT, purchased at net prices.
The tasks resulting from the civilian Protection and civilian Protection Act were allocated PLN 8.5 billion, of which over PLN 5 billion will be allocated to the voivodship budget.
According to Witold Zembaczyński (KO), the president of the Permanent Subcommittee on Defence Finance, Budget expenditure and the Armed Forces Support Fund will full 4.51% of GDP. PLN 4.7 billion is planned for the repayment of the capital part of liabilities incurred in erstwhile years by the Fund. Referring to the media's statements on "remarkable cuts", Zembaczyński announced that there would be more money in next year's budget. "The difference is only that we reduce the pace of debt of the FWSZ, we pay off this Fund," explained the MP.
Marcin Ociepa (PiS) asked what the consequences of the Ministry of Finance's announcements could be for the MON, which counts for exceeding the prudential threshold of 55% of GDP next year or 2 years. president of the Defence Commission Andrzej Grzyb (PSL-TD) recalled that, in accordance with the decision of the European Commission, defence expenditure will be excluded from the excessive deficit procedure – no debt would be included.
19 Members voted in favour of a affirmative opinion on the part of the defence budget for 2027, 15 were against, no 1 abstained.
Total Defence Expenditure – from the budget and the Armed Forces Support Fund, to which funds from the EU SAFE mechanics are besides sent – are expected to amount to PLN 198,1 billion – this is about 4.51% of GDP.
Defensive expenditure for this year was set at PLN 124.8 billion, including PLN 118.6 billion in the "national defence" section and PLN 6.2 billion in another parts of the budget.
