The most crucial is the soldier

So let's start with this center. "In Poland there are no shortages of volunteers who want to join the army," you argued during the fresh conference "Impact’25" in Poznań. Question is, what does the army offer them? What can young people number on erstwhile they decide to wear a uniform?

Let's start with things little apparent than modern equipment, training or development. We've started. Operation Szpej...

New uniforms...

Not only that. It's about the complete equipment of all soldier, like helmets, vests, equipment. Any individual who binds his life to an army must know that the military will take care of it. It is crucial that individual does not decide what kind of equipment soldiers should have. In order for the changes to go in the best possible direction, I have created an highly important, dynamically acting Soldier Rights Protection Team and a proxy for the terms of service to which he has become Paweł Mateńczuk, erstwhile GROM soldier. He spends many hours talking to soldiers, asking about their experiences and consulting his ideas. In this way, decisions are made to respond to the real needs of soldiers. We besides take care of their earnings, so in 2024 there were evidence increases, an average of 20%.

You emphasize that in the military the most crucial is man, but in combat, without modern equipment he is almost helpless, and training on the old PT-91 is not the same as on Abrams.

Of course. The modernisation continues and applies to all types of armed forces. But since you mentioned tanks, let's start with armored and mechanized troops. There are immense changes. The most crucial programme presently active is Badger Infantry Trucks. In March 2025 we signed First executive agreement for the acquisition of 111 vehicleswhich will be delivered to the military in the next 4 years. We want to conclude further contracts to replace all the BWP-1 utilized as shortly as possible. The transportation agenda will depend on capacity increase of Huta Stalowa Wola, maker of Badgers.

Armourers besides get fresh tanks.

That's right. There are over 130 Korean K2 in units.. We got another one. executive contract for 180 wagons. any of them will be produced in Poland, with the participation of our defence industry. More purchased in USA Abrams are inactive being delivered. Until now we have them in the Polish army 116. Besides, we signed contract for the supply of 138 wheeled Rosomak armoured transporters. Interestingly, they will be integrated into the remote-controlled ZSSW-30 tower systems, our native product, considered 1 of the most modern in the world. In 2026, soldiers will besides receive the first light armored exploratory transporters tick.

Are we planning to sign another HIMARS deal?

Negotiations are being conducted on this issue. We anticipate the production of GMLRS missiles to be launched in Poland. There is simply a lot going on with artillery. We're almost there. 130 lobster-K launchers, 170 cannonhaubic K9 and 20 already mentioned lobster-A launchers, or American HIMARS. In order for them to function as a whole, we signed a contract for the transportation of the IBCS air defence command system. It is simply a immense success of Poland, due to the fact that there is no country but the US. But we besides see another types of armed forces. We see quite a few reinforcement in aviation. The first F-35 with a white-red chessboard was late flown by a Polish pilotOh, my God!

Apache pilots besides began training...

The air force of the land troops has AH-64E. They're trained by our pilots, fantastic airmen, who will sit behind the steering wheel of our 96 machines. These will be helicopters, which will become a real “game change” for the full Polish army.

Experts repeat that if war breaks out in our part of Europe, it will take place primarily on land and in the air. Meanwhile, the function of the Baltic has risen unprecedentedly in fresh years. The sea has become the main way for us to supply natural materials. And at the same time the space in which the opponent conducts intensive hybrid activities. It takes a strong navy to control all this. Meanwhile, for decades it has been the most neglected kind of armed force...

And that's what's changing. We're very curious in having The Navy has restored operational capabilities. We build multitasking frigates, mine destroyers, electronic reconnaissance ships...

Except it's inactive the beginning of the road. Is there a chance for a swift implementation ‘Orca’ programme? Getting onboard helicopters or corvettes? What about the modernization of the patrol corvette ORP “Sleak”?

As for “Orca”, we are finalising intergovernmental talks with possible counterparties. erstwhile they're finished, we'll decision on to the next steps of the procedure, which will open the way for us to buy ships. As for the "Sleep", analyses and consultations on ship modernisation are ongoing. In my opinion, on-board helicopters are the natural direction of the improvement of our fleet, due to the fact that we want synergies between sea and air.

We talk about conventional types of armed forces all the time. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has clearly shown that the face of modern armed conflicts is changing rapidly. The function of unmanned workers is growing. Poland tries to respond to this by building drone troops. How advanced is this process?

Only last year we concluded 3 executive contracts for transportation 26 FlyEye Kits. In May 2025 we signed a framework agreement to acquisition 900 sets circulating Warmate ammunition. Plus, there's shopping. Unmanned Gladius air systems is Unmanned MQ-9B Sky Guardianwhich will replace the leased by us MQ-9A Reaper drones. On January 1, 2025, we launched the created from scratch the Inspectorate of the Armed Forces Unmanned Systems, which is active in building organizational structures, training programs and formulating operational needs.

Badger Infantry Truck.

Soldiers in conversations with us besides raised the subject of microdrones – tiny systems, which can be utilized for various tasks even at the level of the smallest subdivisions. Are we planning on buying like this?

Yeah, but it's not just a substance of shopping. We gotta produce millions of drones. We are working to guarantee that in all military academies, the management of various types of drones will shortly begin. But if we are talking about these little conventional capabilities of the Polish Army, we cannot ignore the fight in cyberspace.

True, there's quite a few talk about hacker threats. How frequently do Polish soldiers gotta respond to threats from them?

Last year, they reacted as many as 4 1000 times. Thanks to their abilities, no military network was breached. We have any truly fantastic cybersoldiers.who, interestingly enough, can not only defend us online, but besides lead attacks. In cybersecurity, we besides support our friends, the Lithuanian and Moldovan armies.

Speaking of allies. Minister, everyone in NATO is aware of the crucial function Poland plays in the east flank. Do you think that akin sentiments besides prevail in the European Union?

We have managed to wake up the European Union. I'll take an example. Eastern Shields, a immense project, crucial to the safety not only of Poland but besides of Europe. The task was included in the EU's defence readiness White Paper and the European Investment Bank declared a billion euros of support for its implementation. late We ended the Polish Presidency in the European Union and at that time we succeeded in moving the vector of EU policy towards defence. The adoption of a regulation on SAFE project, which implies granting low-interest and long-term loans to states and European arms companies. The budget is EUR 150 billion and Poland is seeking PLN 120–130 billion from this pool.

You said at 1 of the press conferences that thanks to these funds we could pay for the Borsuki contract...

But not just that. There are besides contracts for Baobaby, anti-aircraft Piorun rocket kits, self-propelled Krab cannons... This list is very long.

At the end of our conversation I will return to those you spoke of at the very beginning – to the soldiers. What do you want them on their feast day?

First of all, I would like to thank them. For your service, especially on the Polish-Belarusian border. This is of large importance to all Poles. I want you perseverance and satisfaction in what you do. Poland is arrogant of you.