Pentagon explores permanent US military base in Poland

US military base Poland Pentagon National Defense Strategy NATO eastern flank

The Pentagon is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a permanent US military base in Poland. In a statement to Congress, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby confirmed that the department is conducting bilateral technical discussions to examine this potential capability as part of the implementation of the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS).

The NDS aims to shift more responsibility for European defense to regional allies through a policy of burden sharing. Concurrently, the Pentagon has confirmed a reduction in US military presence in Europe, decreasing the number of Brigade Combat Teams from five to three. This reduction includes the withdrawal of rotational units from Poland and Romania.

While US President Donald Trump has signaled ‘great progress’ regarding the base, the Pentagon maintains it has ‘nothing to announce at this time.’ Polish officials, including Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski, have indicated that discussions are moving from whether a base will exist to how it will be structured and financed. Proposals suggest a facility that could house approximately 5,000 soldiers and their families, with some Polish leaders suggesting the name ‘Fort Trump’ for the site.

Entities

Donald Trump · Elbridge Colby · NATO · Pentagon · Poland · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] Donald Trump stated that ‘great progress’ has been made regarding a US Army base in Poland. www.goniec.net · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · +4 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The number of US Brigade Combat Teams in Europe has been reduced from five to three. polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · wydarzenia.interia.pl · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The long-term deployment of US forces in Europe will be determined through an ongoing review involving NATO and Congress. polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · wydarzenia.interia.pl · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski stated that the decision regarding the base has been made. www.goniec.net · www.fakt.pl · polityka.co.pl · zachod.pl
[● 8 SOURCES] The US National Defense Strategy aims to shift more responsibility for European defense to regional allies. polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · wydarzenia.interia.pl · +2 more
[DISPUTED] The Pentagon is exploring the possibility of establishing a permanent US military base in Poland. www.goniec.net · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · +4 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The US is conducting bilateral technical discussions with allies regarding the potential for a permanent base in Poland. polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl · www.upday.com · wiadomosci.wp.pl · wydarzenia.interia.pl · +1 more
[DISPUTED] The Pentagon has officially stated that it has nothing to announce regarding a new permanent base in Poland at this time. www.goniec.net · wojna.co.pl