The Polish arms manufacture remained in the shadow of global giants for decades. The deficiency of financial resources made industrial infrastructure grow older. Nor did he advance innovation. However, Russia's aggression on Ukraine proved to be a key catalyst for change. present we export more than Spain and Israel, for a long time crucial players in the market.
Estonian soldier trains with the usage of Lightning launcher during Pikne exercises, 2024.
By 2022, Polish arms exports were comparatively modest. In 2020, its value did not exceed EUR 400 million. Polish armaments, mostly based on post-Soviet technologies, were incapable to compete with the offer of producers from the USA, Germany, France or Israel. In addition, the deficiency of a long-term modernisation strategy and limited investment in investigation and improvement led to Polish defence plants focusing mainly on gathering the needs of the Polish Army. Modest needs due to the fact that the financial miseries besides afraid the army, drastically reduced after 1989.
From Ukraine to the Philippines
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused a dramatic change in the European safety landscape. Poland as a front state of NATO has become a key logistics hub for equipment sent to Ukraine. In this context, the Polish arms manufacture gained not only strategical importance, but besides access to the fresh market. This is seen in the financial data for 2022, published by the Ministry of abroad Affairs. It follows that the value of Polish military exports in 2022 amounted to almost EUR 1.2 billion. This amount only applies to commercially exported equipment, but does not take into account the value of arms and ammunition given.
The year 2023 brought further growth in exports, estimated at EUR 1.75 billion. However, the real boom came in 2024 – the value of equipment and weapons sold abroad amounted to a evidence of €3.2 billion. Poland exported arms to 52 countries, mainly Ukraine (for a sum of €2.5 billion), the USA (€190 million) and the Philippines (€185 million). Spain, Norway, Germany, France, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Uganda and South Korea besides purchased weapons for more than 10 million euros.
Foreign suppliers purchased mainly ammunition and detonators (€1.3 billion) and aircraft, unmanned aircraft and another aviation equipment (€643 million). For almost EUR 350 million, we have acquired various types of land vehicles and their parts. Poland sold, among others, the Krab cannonhaubice, Lightning launchers.
High but beyond the top ten
What does Polish exports look like from another countries? It's worth remembering the data. Stockholm global Institute for Peace Research published this year. The United States remains an absolute evidence holder erstwhile it comes to arms trafficking. The value of their exports in 2024 amounted to USD 318.7 billion. The second place was France (18 billion euros), in the 3rd South Korea (17 billion USD). It is hard to get nonsubjective data on Russia, but according to Moscow experts managed to sale arms and ammunition for $7–9 billion last year. Interestingly, the value of Polish exports was higher than in Spain (€3.1 billion) and Israel ($2.9 billion). And yet in the SIPRI ranking, Poland inactive ranks behind them – but for the first ten, which both countries close. Why? SIPRI classifies exporters on the basis of the average share of the global arms marketplace over the last 5 years (e.g. 2020–024) and not just 1 year. Poland has only recorded dynamic growth since 2022, previously its share was marginal. Israel and Spain have had stable, advanced exports for years, which increases their average.
Estonian soldiers train from utilizing the Lightning launcher during Pikne exercises, 2024.
Export directions are besides important. In 2024 Poland realised a large volume of deliveries to Ukraine – up to EUR 2.5 billion, which represented 79% of all equipment and weapons sold abroad (data for the MFA report). Israel and Spain have a much wider network of recipients. And then there's the question of the kind of equipment exported. Poland mainly sells conventional weapons (artillery, ammunition, vehicles). Israel dominates advanced technologies: integrated command systems, drones, cyber defence equipment. The Spanish in turn offer strategical platforms: ships, aircraft, which increases the value of long-term contracts.
Diversification and support
What should we be aware of erstwhile we consider the future of the Polish armory (not only in the context of its export power)? The war in Ukraine created unprecedented request for military equipment, especially in Central and east Europe. Poland, as a neighbour of Ukraine, had and has a logistical advantage (speed of supply). Polish armament plants, like Huta Stalowa Wola, Mesko, PZL Mielec or WB Electronics invested in upgrading production lines and developing fresh technologies. Products specified as Piorun anti-aircraft kits or Krab cannonhaubice gained global designation due to effectiveness On the battlefield in Donbasa. The funds from the Government's Armed Forces Modernisation Programmes and the Armed Forces Support Fund have contributed to expanding home procurement, allowing the plants to scale production more efficiently.
However, despite these successes and mostly favorable situation, experts inform against excessive dependence on 1 recipient – Ukraine. This could be a problem in the event of the end of the war. In addition, many contracts were interventional, making long-term planning difficult. Competition from global players is besides a threat, which increasingly penetrate markets in Central and east Europe. Poland must invest in innovation, global certification and marketing. In addition to diversification of markets, it will be crucial to keep the pace of innovation and unchangeable state support.
![Norweskie F-35 i polskie F-16 w Krzesinach [DEFENCE24 TV]](https://cdn.defence24.pl/2025/11/21/1200xpx/JHfQMaxILikG5Di74dPFnxnk9VvKwqCkzkh22jyK.mm8z.png)
