By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen NATO countries scrambling to strengthen their defensive posture by acquiring additional weaponry. For no country is this more true than for Poland, which has embarked on a military shopping spree unprecedented in modern European history. This has so far included the purchase and planned purchase of 1,000 K2 MBTs, 672 K9 SPGs and 288 K239 MRLs from South Korea and 366 M1 Abrams MBTs and 92 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States. Meanwhile, domestic defence producers are to provide the Polish Armed Forces with almost 1,500 IFVs and hundreds artillery pieces in addition to systems such as drones and tank destroyers.
Rather than acquiring weaponry from its traditional arms supplier Germany, Poland has found new suppliers in South Korea and the United States. Poland has grown increasingly agitated over Germany's delayed response in providing military support to Ukraine and the speed (or lack thereof) with which it wanted compensate Poland for its supply of MBTs to Ukraine under the 'Ringtausch' programme. [1] The truth is that German arms manufacturers lack the capacity to fullfil all of Poland's orders in the first place, with Poland's choice for South Korea not only being a preference but simply also a necessity in order for it to receive the ordered equipment within a reasonable timeframe.
The choice for South Korea as the primary supplier of arms and equipment has the added advantage that it doesn't overburden U.S. production lines for military equipment, which could otherwise have left other NATO countries and Taiwan struggling to receive their equipment in time, with production lines already barely coping with Poland's huge orders. Another benefit of cooperation with South Korea is the fact that it has included Poland in its future K3 tank and K9A3 howitzer programmes, which will take into account Polish experience and could one day be produced in Poland. [2]
To put the size of Poland's arms orders into perspective, it is insightful to consider attempts by other NATO countries at strengthening their defence. The Dutch Army, having retired and sold its 24 M270 MLRS in 2004 due to budget cuts, has attempted to reintroduce this lost capability after witnessing the devastating use of multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) during the 2014-2015 War in Donbass. A lack of funding meant it would take until 2022 until a decision for their purchase was made, with an order finally expected in 2023. But while Poland has ordered 288 K239 MRLs from South Korea, the Netherlands is not expected to acquire more than 18 MRLs. Similarly, the Dutch Army (logically) squashed its plans to acquire additional tanks beyond the 18 it currently operates, compared to the some 1,500 MBTs to be operated by Poland.
This article attempts to list equipment acquisitions by the Polish Army, Navy and Air Force. This list focuses on heavy weaponry and doesn't include ATGMs, MANPADS, small arms, command vehicles, trucks, radars and ammunition. This list will be updated as new acquisitions are reported.
Army - Wojska Lądowe
Tanks (1394, of which 574 on order and 820 planned)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.180 K2s [To be delivered between 2022 and 2025] (To be upgraded to K2PL standard at a later date)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.820 K2PLs [To be produced in Poland from 2026 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.116 M1A1 SAs [2023] (To be upgraded to SEPv3 standard at a later date)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.28 M1A2 SEPv2s [2020] (Leased from the U.S. for training)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.250 M1A2 SEPv3s [To be delivered between 2025 and 2026] (Deal also includes 26 M88A2 ARVs and 17 M1110 AVLBs)
Tank Destroyers (Unknown Quantities)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Ottokar-Brzoza Programme [To be delivered from 2025 onwards]
Infantry Fighting Vehicles (1470)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.1400 BWP Borsuks [To be produced in Poland from 2024 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.70 KTO Rosomak - ZSSW-30s [To be delivered between 2024 and 2027]
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (300)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.300 Cougar 4x4s [To be delivered in late 2022]
Artillery And Multiple Rocket Launchers (1150, of which 690 on order and 460 planned)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.212 155mm K9A1 Self-Propelled Guns [Will Be Delivered Between 2022 And 2026] (To be upgraded to K9PL (K9A2) standard at a later date)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.460 155mm K9PL (K9A2) Self-Propelled Guns [To be produced in Poland from 2026 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.48 155mm AHS Krab Self-Propelled Guns [Will Be Delivered Between 2025 And 2027]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.122 120mm M120 Rak Self-Propelled Mortars [To be delivered]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.20(+500 As Option) M142 HIMARS [To be delivered]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.288 K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launchers [To be delivered from 2023 onwards]
Air Defence Systems
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.2 Mała Narew Systems (Uses 25km-ranged CAMM SAM) [2022] (With 3 launchers each)
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.23 Narew Batteries (Uses 45km-ranged CAMM ER And EX SAM) [To be delivered throughout the mid-to-late 2020s]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.2(+6 Planned) Patriot PAC-3+ Batteries [To be delivered from 2022 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.15 PSR-A Pilica+ Systems (Uses AA Guns And 25km-ranged CAMM SAM) [To be delivered from 2024 onwards] (Six Pilica Systems to be upgraded to Pilica+ standard at a later date)
Helicopters
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.96 AH-64E Attack Helicopters [2020]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.32 AgustaWestland AW149 Multi-Role Helicopters [2020]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.4 S-70i Black Hawk Transport Helicopters [Will be delivered in 2023 and 2024] (For special forces. Supplementing four S-70is already in service)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Large Numbers OfWB Electronics FlyEye Reconnaissance UAVs
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.25 Systems Of Wizjer Reconnaissance UAVs [2022 or 2023]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.4 Batteries Of WB Electronics FT5-Łoś Reconnaissance UAVs [2022 and 2023]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Large Numbers Of WB Electronics Warmate Loitering Munitions
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.40(+20 As Option)PGZ-19R Reconnaissance UAVs (Orlik Programme)
Air Force - Siły Powietrzne
Fighter Aircraft
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.32 F-35As [Will Be Delivered From 2024 Onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.12 FA-50 Block 10s [Will Be Delivered In The Second Half Of 2023]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.32 FA-50PLs [Will Be Delivered Between 2025 And 2028]
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.24 Bayraktar TB2s [Will be delivered from October 2022 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Several MQ-9A Reapers [Leased from 2022 onwards until the delivery of the MQ-9Bs]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.An Undisclosed Number Of MQ-9B Reapers [Will Be Delivered From 2024 onwards]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Gryf Programme For Additional UCAVs [Bayraktar TB2 and Watchkeeper X believed to be the favourite contender]
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Zefir Programme For MALE UCAVs [Bayraktar Akıncı and MQ-9B believed to be the favourite contenders]
Transport Aircraft
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.3 C-130Hs [Will be delivered until late 2024] (Will replace 2 C-130Es and supplement 2 C-130Hs already in service)
Advanced Jet Trainers
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.4 M-346 'Bieliks' [Will be delivered in late 2022] (Will supplement 12 M-346s already in service)
Navy - Marynarka Wojenna
Frigates
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.3 Arrowhead 140 'Miecznik-Class' [Will be delivered in 2028, 2029 and 2031]
Submarines
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Orka Programme [Significantly delayed programme to acquire three submarines] (Will replace one barely operational Kilo-class submarine)
Minehunters
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.3 Komoran-2-Class[Will be delivered in the late 2020s and early 2030s] (Will Supplement 3 Komoran-2s already in service or under construction)
Helicopters
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.4(+4 As Option) Leonardo AW101 Merlin Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Helicopters [To be delivered from 2022 onwards]
[1] Flawed But Commendable: Germany’s Ringtausch Programme https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/09/flawed-but-commendable-germanys.html
[2] Poland’s massive tank, artillery and jet deal with S. Korea comes in shadow of Ukraine war https://breakingdefense.com/2022/07/polands-massive-tank-artillery-and-jet-deal-with-s-korea-comes-in-shadow-of-ukraine-war/
Recommended Articles:
A European Powerhouse: Polish Military Aid To Ukraine