Poland has taken a major step toward hosting a permanent United States military base after Prime Minister Donald Tusk authorized preparations for a long-term American deployment, signaling a deeper strategic partnership with Washington and reinforcing the country’s role on NATO’s eastern frontier.
The resolution, issued on Tuesday, authorizes Poland’s defense ministry to begin planning for a permanent U.S. military installation. The preparations will include infrastructure development, logistics, financing arrangements and accommodation facilities designed to support American troops stationed in the country.
The decision follows a pledge made less than a month earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland. The move would significantly expand the U.S. military presence in the country and further strengthen defense cooperation between Warsaw and Washington.
Tusk said Poland must begin preparations immediately rather than wait for the implementation of the U.S. deployment plan. According to the resolution, the government intends to ensure that the necessary military infrastructure and support systems are in place before additional American forces arrive.
Poland has become a critical security partner within NATO since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The country serves as a major transit hub for Western military assistance destined for Ukraine and has steadily expanded its strategic importance within the alliance. The establishment of the U.S. Army Garrison Poland in 2023 further increased the American military footprint in the country, which typically hosts around 10,000 U.S. personnel.
While American troops have maintained a significant presence in Poland for several years, most facilities have been designed to support rotational deployments. The latest government initiative marks a shift toward creating the infrastructure required for permanently stationed U.S. forces, laying the foundation for a more enduring military presence.
The move also reflects Poland’s broader effort to transform itself into one of Europe’s leading military powers. In recent years, Warsaw has dramatically increased defense spending, expanded recruitment and accelerated military modernization programs amid what officials describe as a rapidly changing regional security environment.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Poland ranked 14th globally in military expenditure in 2025. Defense spending reached $46.8 billion during the year, representing a 23 percent increase compared with 2024 and accounting for 4.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
The growth has been particularly striking over the longer term. Compared with 2016 levels, Poland’s military expenditure increased by 207 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing defense budgets in Europe.
As part of its modernization drive, Poland has signed major defense procurement agreements with the United States and South Korea. The contracts cover a range of military equipment, including tanks, helicopters and missile launchers, while the government also seeks to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
Officials have also pointed to the Security Action for Europe agreement as a significant development in the country’s military strategy. The mechanism is expected to provide access to large-scale European financing for defense projects, supporting further modernization efforts and reinforcing Poland’s position as a frontline NATO state.
Speaking about the country’s long-term military objectives, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the defense budget has reached 200 billion zlotys, equivalent to approximately $54.8 billion. He added that the Ministry of Defense aims to increase the size of Poland’s armed forces to 500,000 personnel, including 300,000 professional soldiers and 200,000 reservists.
The latest resolution underscores Poland’s determination to deepen military cooperation with the United States while continuing one of the most ambitious defense expansion programs currently underway in Europe.
