Without a backroom where soldiers can practice, decision and supply service and repair, even the best army can't cope. Therefore, the improvement of military infrastructure continues to be the best in Poland. fresh barracks, airfields, hangars, garages, and training grounds are being upgraded.
– We are in a state of permanent expansion, says Gen. Dyw. Arkadiusz Szkutnik, Commander of the 18th Mechanized Division. “We have respective locations where major investments in military infrastructure are being made for the needs of the division. The calculation of them only in this 1 division shows how much is presently being built in the Polish Army. – Starting with Siedlec, where it is located the most modern at the minute in Poland, and possibly besides in Europe, the staff building, through the barracks there, to the base of the method equipment park, sports hall, sports fields, canteen – the general states. Additionally, there is an expansion of method and garage infrastructure in Nowa Dęba for Identification and impact systems Gladius and cannonhaubic K-9, lobster-K rocket launchers. At the Police Training Centre of the Land Forces in Lipa a temporary infrastructure is created for the planned anti-tank regiment. The same applies to investments in Wólka Gospodradowska and Gniewczyń Łańcucka, which are fresh locations for the divisions of the 18th Motorised Brigade and 21st Podhalan firearm Brigade. It already operates and continues to grow its facilities in Warwarrowa, where 21 Light Mountain Battalion is stationed. In Biała Podlaska, where the reconnaissance battalion is located and where there are subdivisions of the 1st Armoured Brigade, barracks for soldiers are created, cross-bars for exercises and garages.
New barracks, but besides method and garage facilities for Abrams tanks already exists in Lublin. The method infrastructure for Abrams tanks, barracks, sports facilities was created in Wesoła in Podwarszawska, Poland, but it is besides planned to grow the training squares, in Łomża – the full facilities built again under the method equipment park for Abrams. Similarly, fresh method facilities and infrastructure of the next Tank Battalion from the 1st Armored Brigade will be created in Sulejówek. Prime Minister Krzysztof Rabek, Deputy Chief of Staff for Support at the office of the 18th Mechanized Division, concludes: – For the 18th Mechanized Division there were or are about 200 smaller or larger projects. The scale of the investment looks awesome – and this is only 1 division.
The Answer to War
The Russian annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of the war in Donbas became an impetus for the modernization of the Polish Army – and the army of many European countries. As early as 2014, an increase in defence spending to 2% of GDP was declared at the NATO summit in Welsh Newport. The shock caused by the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022 further increased the force to grow and modernise the army. It turned out that the minimum level of finance for defence was not adequate at the Wales Summit.
From the Polish perspective, the request to invest in defence seems obvious. fresh tanks, anti-aircraft defence systems, aircraft are imported to Poland. It was besides decided to increase the army's numbers and form fresh tactical unions, as illustrated by the 18th Mechanized Division or 1st and 8th Infantry Divisions. This requires a large financial and organizational effort, due to the fact that it is besides essential to build or grow facilities where soldiers will be combined, where they will practice, as well as buildings for garages, servicing or repairing fresh machines. In the garrisons, where it is going or is about to hit fresh equipment, large-scale preparations are so underway, which include the expansion and modernisation of existing military bases.
An example of investment is airports. At 21th Tactical Aviation Base in Swidwin, Western Pomerania The site of the Su-22 bomber fighter aircraft stationed here will shortly take over purchased from Americans multitasking F-35, as well as FA-50, light combat aircraft of Korean production. – Due to these changes in the database there are about 30 different types of investments – informs Colonel Roman Stefaniak, commander of 21 BLT. Modernization includes a runway that will receive a fresh surface and lighting system. taxiways, aprons will be renewed. – With F-35 pilots in mind, buildings will be built for simulator exercises, mission planning and briefings – said Colonel Stefaniak. The changes besides include the demolition of parts of old shelter hangars and the construction of fresh facilities – both for F-35 aircraft and FA-50. any of the old hangars will be renovated. – In 2027 we will have 1 of the most modern airports in Poland – emphasizes the commander of the Swidwińska base.
The 32th Tactical Aviation Base in Grace is besides undergoing a large transformation. The runway has been extended, which besides gained a modern drainage strategy and an icing informing strategy - the investment implemented jointly with the US Air Force cost PLN 100 million. The next work is to prepare the base for the F-35 adoption with a white-red chessboard on the wings. The first Hussars in 32 BLT should appear in mid-2026.
A lot has changed in Inowrocławska 56 Air Base, where helicopters will be stationed Apache shock. In preparation for their adoption, the flight control tower was upgraded, and the airport was equipped, among others, with a GCA-2000 radio-location landing system.
These are examples from the western part of the country, but quite a few investments besides take place in the east – these are the projects implemented by the 18th Mechanized Division. besides along the full north-eastern and east border of the country – from Elbląg through Bartoszice, Olecko, Augustów, Białystok, Biała Podlaska, Włodawa, Chełm after Crane, Przemyśl and Sanok – fresh facilities for armored troops, bomb squads, reconnaissance and anti-aircraft defence are being created. Logistics facilities, divisional staff, artillery and communications units are besides created or expanded.
Plans, laws and finances
The investments in military infrastructure increase in Poland at an express rate. According to the data of the Ministry of Defence, only this year will PLN 7.5 billion be allocated to the construction and modernization of the fields, airports or barracks. This is an amount 5% higher than last year and almost 35% higher than 2 years ago. The most money traditionally has already to be distributed to the Armed Forces Support Office. This year's budget of this institution reserved for the construction of fresh buildings and the thorough modernisation of existing buildings will close at PLN 5.36 billion, which is almost 4 times more than 4 years ago. This includes 605 million for ongoing repairs and maintenance of infrastructure.
Adopted in March 2022 Home defence Act indicates the sources of backing for the military improvement programme: part of the military money comes from the Polish state budget, part from the outside budget Armed Forces Support Fund (FWSZ), which consists of funds raised from loans and bonds. This year's plans presume that nearly PLN 187 billion will be allocated to defence, which amounts to 4.7% of this year's GDP. Next year these measures are yet to increase, up to 5% of GDP.
This is national funding, but there are besides EU initiatives, as presented in March 2025 by the European Commission with a concept called "Ready 2030" (Readiness 2030). It envisages spending up to EUR 800 billion to strengthen the defence infrastructure of the associate States of the European Union through readily available loans, fiscal facilitations, and introduces the anticipation of shifting any of EU money to defence-related purposes. Thanks to this, it was possible to transfer part of the funds from Poland granted National Recovery and Immunity Plan (KPO). They will finance, among others, defence structures and dual-use infrastructure, including transport (bridges, roads, tunnels, airports and landings).
Some projects are co-financed by the Allied States – the NSIP (NATO safety Investment Programme) program serves this purpose. This applies to the military infrastructure utilized by our allies, including airports, syntaxes and warehouses – but thanks to the program for US Army soldiers they were besides created new barracks in Deep Camp At the draw camp. Since March, there are about 500 American soldiers stationed there, yet 2.5 1000 of them. The issue seems apparent here: Poland, as part of NATO, is consistently building bilateral relations with individual members. There are respective 1000 abroad soldiers stationed on the Vistula River, who besides request to be provided with conditions for operation. Moreover, it must be ensured that, in the event of a threat, the country is ready to accept additional troops that will defend the east flank of NATO.
In 2020, Poland and the US signed an enhanced defence cooperation agreement (EDCA). It assumes, among others, the implementation of investments which will benefit both parties. This list includes, for example, the Poznań Camp Kościuszko, where now the Extant Command of the 5th Corps of the US Army is stationed, or the expansion of the Air Base in Powidzuk, where the conflict Air Brigade of the American Land Army is stationed. Work on many investments is inactive ongoing. “Almost 50 investment tasks for 115 planned to be carried out for the U.S. Armed Forces are presently being launched”, says Colonel Michał Kujawski, Head of the Construction Investment Branch of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate.
Roads to safety
The military should be well equipped and trained, but besides mobile. I request roads, railway routes, and airports – that's why late a large number of alleged double-purpose investments have been implemented in Poland. civilian infrastructure should be built or modernised in specified a way that, in addition to civilian applications, military usage can besides be achieved. For example, roads of considerable width and strength, bridges of adequate burden capacity or airports, which can besides accept military transport machines, are needed. In order to prepare all of this, MON cooperates with another ministries and institutions in the planning, opinion and implementation of investments that can support defence in 1 way or another. – Ministry of Defence actively participates in the process of adapting method parameters of selected sections of municipal, region and provincial roads to military requirements. This is implemented, among others, by co-financing investments under the Government Road improvement Fund, where MON gives opinions on projects and supports the improvement of road infrastructure crucial for defence, owned by local governments," explains Janusz Sejmiej, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence.
In this context, it is worth mentioning the programme "Safety Pact for Poland – Central Pomerania". It provides for the construction and expansion of transport infrastructure in the north of the country, crucial for the fast spread of troops and equipment. An example is the Red Road, which is expected to improve the traffic between the port in Gdynia and the tricity bypass. But the modernisation of transport besides applies to railway lines, which on many sections are successively adapted to the needs of the army. In December 2024, for example, PKP Polish Railway Lines for money from the national budget and the European Union rebuilt 2 cargo points in the vicinity of Opole. Another example is the expansion and modernisation of the airport in Wrocław. – The investment includes the construction of a fresh apron for airplanes and taxiways, the reconstruction of existing taxiways, the de-icing plane or the creation of a fast exit road from the runway – says Bartosz Wiśniewski, spokesperson of the Wrocław facility. This will enable the airport to service more passengers, but also... more frequently to accept military aircraft – mainly those owned by the US Air Force. The Americans are moving soldiers and equipment to the east flank of NATO. – The investment will cost PLN 376 million net. 150 million of this amount comes from EU co-financing – explains Wiśniewski. There are besides airports in Kraków and Rzeszów. They are besides utilized for both civilian and military purposes.
To have a place to practice
That's inactive not all. There is besides a request for a space for exercises and training – and that is why Polish camps have been undergoing a real revolution for respective years. For example, in mid-March of this year a large investment in the Polish Police Training Centre: After a thorough modernization it was commissioned there ‘Joanna Little’ tactical exercise belt. – The facility is now full automated. Soldiers can benefit from 1,800 light and dense targets – explains Colonel Marek Drabek, Commandant of OSPWL Żagań. Most of them are infantry shields, but there are besides targets on the belt for various types of combat vehicles and tanks. – We wanted to adjust the training ground to the capabilities of modern equipment. Poland buys Abrams, K2, Badgers... They can hurt your opponent at far greater distances. Due to this, the highest distance to the mark on the “Joanna” tactical exercise belt is 2,800 m – explains Colonel Drabek. “Moreover, innovative equipment will increase the precision of marksmanship assessment. The implementation of modern technologies will besides let for more varied and effective training, adapted to different scenarios, which in turn will increase the efficiency of the training and will be straight translated into preparation for field activities," the officer adds. The modernization of “Joanna Mała” cost almost 116 million PLN.
In the training area, apart from the fresh training areas, infrastructure for simulation and virtual training is besides developed, making it possible to prepare soldiers more realistic and securely for combat activities. An example here is implementation Laser Shooting Simulator ‘Gamer’, thanks to which in Żagań they can practice subdivisions to the level of the company, and in Drawsk Pomerania – already the full battalion. In fresh years, the camp was transformed into the Combat Training Center, where NATO allies regularly train alongside Polish soldiers. And the comprehensive combat simulation strategy in Drawsk is 1 of the flagship investments of fresh years. As St. Chor. staff explains. Marcin Czerwiński, spokesperson for CSB, the introduction of “Gamer” for usage required many investments. – We had to make a warehouse of equipment and places where vehicles and soldiers are equipped with this equipment, and then they can effort it. In another part of the camp, a building was created in which individual exercises are planned. Finally, on the tactical belt an object was erected, colloquially called Ladybug, where the command post was located," the spokesperson states. Of course, the strategy of cameras and antennas transmitting the signal has come to this.
One of the most crucial comprehensive programmes for the expansion of military infrastructure to enhance safety of the east flank of NATO is Eastern Shield. It is simply a belt of military installations to defend Poland from the incursion of troops of a possible aggressor, located in 1 of the most delicate places in Europe today. Modern radio-location systems, anti-drome systems, fortifications – both created from scratch, e.g. minefields or concrete installations, as well as utilizing natural terrain barriers specified as swamps or bushes – will be present on the Shield East. It is besides envisaged to adapt existing infrastructure to military needs, e.g. to increase the burden capacity of roads and bridges and to cover the delicate area with a high-speed communications network. The investment should be ready by 2028. 10 billion PLN is to be allocated from the national budget for this purpose. EU funds will come to that.
A favourable cooperation
Investment in individuals or fresh military facilities is not only an crucial defence component of the country, but besides an chance for infrastructure and economical improvement of many localities. This was highlighted by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk, who discussed the details of the Shields of the East, emphasized 3 dimensions of the investment. – First of all, this is, of course, what we frequently see on a regular basis, namely anti-tank ditches, ribbed hedgehogs and another concrete infrastructure. The second dimension is innovation: anti-drone systems, reconnaissance systems, cooperation with another services – both military and civil. The 3rd dimension is the social dimension – he mentioned. It is the second that is highly crucial for local communities, due to the fact that thanks to the military fresh opportunities are emerging. Local governments are well aware of this. Marcin Szwiętny, mayor of Drusz in the territory of Iławski, where a military unit will be established, in which even a 1000 soldiers are to serve, emphasizes: – Building military infrastructure in our territory is primarily a chance to make the local economy. Defence-related investments contribute to employment growth, stimulate the service marketplace and support the improvement of entrepreneurship. The presence of the army has a affirmative impact on the improvement of road infrastructure, energy infrastructure, as well as another socio-economic aspects, which can benefit all residents.
This is confirmed by Gen. Dyw. Arkadiusz Szkutnik. “My contacts with local authorities indicate that local authorities are looking at the improvement of military units in their territory with large hope, as this increases the sense of security, jobs, fresh opportunities for local companies, infrastructure development,” the general says. According to Colonel Michał Kujawski of IWSZ, erstwhile it comes to military infrastructure, we can talk about the real revolution in fresh years. – It is simply a substance of expanding budgets related to investments, the pace of construction and an epochal leap in the quality of buildings. All of this has a large impact on the country's defence possible – he concludes. No wonder that Poland has taken a consistent course in fresh years to build modern and effective armed forces – safety is the foundation of successful improvement of the country. expanding the number of armies or purchasing programs and investments in equipment, however, is not enough: care is needed for the uniform improvement of the back room, thanks to which the army will have the best conditions to operate.
