Warsaw breaks defence procurement record signing multibillion-euro contracts in one day

Poland has signed a record 29 defence contracts worth €18.4 billion in a single day, a move the country's defence minister described as an "absolute world record" and a major milestone in the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces.

The unprecedented procurement drive comes as Warsaw continues to accelerate its military buildup under the European Union's SAFE defence financing program, as Polish media points out.

The agreements, all signed on May 30 with domestic defence manufacturers, cover a broad range of military equipment.

Among the largest orders are 146 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, along with support vehicles for the K9PL self-propelled howitzer program.

The package also includes ammunition carriers, command vehicles and communications vehicles for the Homar-K multiple-launch rocket system.

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who attended the signing ceremony, called it a landmark moment for both Poland's armed forces and its domestic defence industry.

“Absolutely the most important day in building the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces and the independence of the Polish defence industry.”

“Never before in the history of Polish armed forces’ modernization have we signed 29 contracts for 78 billion złoty [€18.4 billion] in a single day. This is an absolute world record. This is a day that changes reality,” he added.

The contracts were awarded to several Polish defence manufacturers, including Huta Stalowa Wola, a subsidiary of Polish Armaments Group, which is expected to receive the largest share of the funding.

Another major beneficiary is Rosomak S.A., which signed separate agreements covering 48 vehicles, including 30 armoured medical evacuation vehicles and 18 command vehicles.

The contracts were concluded under the EU's SAFE defence loan mechanism, which offers member states long-term, low-interest financing to purchase military equipment manufactured within Europe.

Launched to strengthen Europe's defence industrial base and boost production capacity, the program has become an important pillar of the continent's broader rearmament effort amid concerns over a potential escalation of tensions with Russia.

By Nazrin Sadigova