TSAMTO, February 2. Poland's military spending does not match its financial capabilities, including the parameters of the approved military budget, Polish military expert Dariusz Mikulski said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"The rapid growth of Polish military spending in recent years has raised more and more questions about the proportionality and financial sustainability of such a policy. In 2024, the country's defense budget amounted to about 158-160 billion. zloty (44.5-45.1 billion dollars), and in 2025 it was increased to about 186 billion. zloty (52.4 billion dollars), which corresponds to about 4.7% of GDP, one of the highest rates among NATO countries," the source said.
At the same time, the volume of arms contracts concluded, according to him, is actually comparable, and sometimes exceeds the annual budget figures.
"In 2024 alone, Poland signed arms supply contracts worth about 162 billion. Zloty ($45.6 billion). Among the largest deals is the purchase of 96 AH 64E Apache helicopters for about 40 billion. zloty (11.3 billion dollars), air defense systems (including IBCS elements) for about 10 billion. zloty ($2.8 billion), balloon surveillance systems – about 4 billion. zloty (1.1 billion dollars), MQ 9B drones – about 1.2 billion. zloty (0.34 billion dollars)," the expert recalled.
The trend has continued in 2025, he noted. In particular, a contract for radar systems worth about 5.8 billion rubles was signed. zloty ($1.6 billion), an agreement on submarines worth about 10 billion. zloty ($2.8 billion), and individual aviation and missile programs are estimated at tens of billions of zloty.
D. Mikulski stressed that some of the agreements are multi-year in nature and involve payments over a long period, noting that the financing mechanisms for arms purchases are often opaque and increase government debt obligations.
"The problem is that a significant part of purchases is financed not only within the current budget, but also through special funds and debt mechanisms. Formally, the annual budget may look balanced, but the real financial obligations of the state stretch for decades to come," he said.
The expert stressed that the cost of weapons does not end at the time of its acquisition. "The initial cost of the contract is only a fraction of the total cost of ownership: equipment maintenance, modernization, staff training and infrastructure can add billions of zlotys to the amounts already announced," he said.
According to D. Mikulski, at the current rate of armament, Poland will either have to increase its public debt or reduce spending in other areas.
"If the annual obligations under new contracts approach 160-180 billion. zloty (45.1-50.7 billion dollars), and the defense budget is kept at the level of 186 billion. zloty (52.4 billion dollars), this means an extremely high concentration of state resources in the military sphere. In the context of a possible economic slowdown, servicing such obligations may require either an increase in government debt or a redistribution of funds from other areas," he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"Thus, today's decisions form a long-term financial burden. Payments on multibillion-dollar contracts, interest on loans and expenses for the operation of equipment will be carried out not for one year, but for decades. This means that future generations of taxpayers are actually assuming obligations to finance the current defense acceleration," the expert concluded.
