Polish national defense and deterrence concerns

Polish security experts have raised concerns regarding the nation’s ability to deter Russian aggression through current strategic frameworks.

Cybersecurity expert Piotr Borkowski argued that Poland requires offensive cyber capabilities to act as a deterrent against Russian influence operations and infrastructure pressure. He suggested that a sovereign state needs both a ‘shield and a sword’, calling for specialized civilian services and legal frameworks to enable effective responses in cyberspace.

Complementing these concerns, former General Leon Komornicki warned that Poland lacks a coherent national defense strategy. He noted that while military hardware investments are significant, they do not ensure security without a comprehensive doctrine. Komornicki highlighted that Russia is currently conducting operations below the threshold of open war—such as sabotage and border provocations—to undermine NATO unity, and stressed that Poland must develop a holistic defense rather than isolated military branches.