Poland pushes for permanent U.S. military base as defence spending rises

Poland is intensifying efforts to secure a permanent U.S. military base on its territory. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz presented an official proposal to U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and said the Americans responded positively. President Donald Trump has also indicated the possibility of sending an additional 5,000 troops, though details remain unclear. A poll by SW Research shows strong public backing, with 68 % of men and 50 % of women supporting a lasting U.S. presence.

At the same time, Polish officials stress that the country's security must rest on a modern, self‑reliant army capable of imposing high costs on any aggressor. The ongoing war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for multi‑domain capabilities—including cyber, logistics and information warfare—and for substantial defence investments. Poland plans to allocate significant resources to modernise its forces, viewing a permanent U.S. base as a key deterrent element within a broader strategy of strengthening both military and economic resilience.