Poland aims for record defence budget in 2025

Poland is planning to boost its defence spending to 4.7% of its GDP by 2025, representing an increase of $14 billion compared to 2024.

According to a Polish media outlet which reviewed the draft state budget and spoke to an anonymous source within the Polish government, this proposed increase would set a new record for Poland in terms of both the percentage of GDP and the total amount allocated for defence, Caliber.Az reports. 

In 2024, Poland's defence budget was $35 billion, but it is projected to rise to $49 billion in 2025.

The report also indicated that Poland aims to transfer some of its defence expenditures to the EU budget, emphasizing that Poland's border is the EU’s external frontier with Russia and Ukraine. "We are in serious discussions with the EU about including some defence costs in the EU budget, given that we are a frontline country responsible for the entire EU," the source explained.

Currently, Poland ranks fifth among NATO member states for defence spending, with a projected 4.1% of GDP allocated to defence in 2024. The final figure for Poland's 2025 defence budget will be announced in September.