The coming year 2026 will be for native land troops primarily the time of implementation of framework and implementing contracts signed in fresh years for modern weapons systems with peculiar emphasis on armory, artillery and anti-aircraft equipment. Soldiers hold their fingers equally firmly for the “Szpej” program and the fresh elements of individual equipment that are intended to scope individuals. Taking into account Union circumstances SAFE mechanism, large interstate agreements are besides to be expected, and the precedence buying list will definitely include drones and drone systems.
In most armies around the world, the backbone of the national armed forces is land troops, which have not only forces and means to defend their homeland on the proverbial “grounds”, but besides tools to supply air support (aircraft aircraft of the ground troops) and to shield them from means of aerial assault (air defense).
Such a mapping of the tasks of the land troops is very helpful erstwhile discussing their modernisation process, as it allows to better realize the immense scale of the tasks involved. erstwhile we talk about modernization of the Navy, we focus on fresh ships. At the air force – on planes and helicopters. In the case of land troops, however, the list of equipment and weapons to be remembered and to which money must be found seems to have no end.
Polish land troops in 2026 will proceed the hard and costly process of comprehensive method modernization, which was started in the beginning of the first decade of the 21st century. The request for simultaneous exchange of many models of outdated tanks, armored transporters, barrel and rocket artillery systems, anti-aircraft defence systems and dozens of types of logistics vehicles was a consequence of the alleged "diseases of the 1980s", i.e. the period during which the Polish people's military massively withdrew weapons from the 1950s, replacing them with modern products. The weapon obtained at that time, a model of equivalents around the world, after 2 or 3 decades, began to powerfully defy the expectations and demands of the modern battlefield and awaited successors.
An additional origin affecting the method modernization of the Polish army in the 21st century was the accession of our country to NATO. erstwhile we joined the Alliance, we committed to interoperability, i.e. having weapons identical to ammunition with weapons of our partners. This is why at the end of the first decade of the 21st century a programme of modernization of Polish artillery was launched, the main point of which was replacing the old systems of the Carnation modern Crab cannons 155 mm. A akin mechanics worked in the armored troops. Successful T-72 tanks with 125 mm guns had to replace Leopard 2 tanks with 120 mm cannons.
But what is presently happening in the native land troops is not just a gradual exchange of weapons acquired in the 1980s or 1970s. The geopolitical situation in our part of Europe has changed so rapidly over the last decade that our armed forces must have abandoned their dream of "missional" capabilities, which assumed that we would focus with our allies from the European Union and NATO on stabilization missions in distant parts of the globe.
After the annexation of Crimea and the forceful change of borders in Europe, the threat of another war in Europe and an armed attack by Russia on 1 of the Alliance countries took on a completely fresh dimension for our part of the continent 2 decades ago. Today, from a position wars in Ukraine, the conclusions seem obvious, but 5 years ago in the west of Europe, with a candle, we had to look for politicians who supported the thought of a crucial increase in defence spending.
Poland was on another side of the galaxy at the time. In the beginning of last decade, we decided to modernise the armoured forces, upgrade artillery and build a modern, comprehensive air defence system. erstwhile Russia attacked Ukraine, we immediately decided to buy more weapons systems so that what we have, supporting a struggling neighbor.
Tanks Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 for 18DZ delivered in September, 2025.
Next year, various types of armor will definitely grow in the native land troops. In addition to US deliveries Abrams, another Korean will besides scope our country Black Pantherswhose production, which is very important, to be run over the VistulaAs well as cannonhaubic K9. The 3rd kind of tanks, the number of which continues to grow in our army, is German Leopardy 2 version PL. This program, although with delays, is besides implemented and we cannot depreciate it.
As far as armored weapons are concerned, I personally enjoy the most Badger, i.e. developed by our engineers a modern combat infantry car, which is to replace the BWP-1 utilized in the Polish army. This year further copies of these vehicles are sent to the units And you gotta keep your fingers crossed for ordering more. In this way, their maker will be able to reduce the cost of producing Badgers, as well as convince decision makers (not only those in uniform) that he is able to manage the task heavy BWPs.
What is it? Well, our army wants the ground troops to have 2 types of caterpillar transporters: medium, intended for mechanized brigades (this task will be done by the Badgers) and dense for armored brigades armed with Abrams. I will admit that I have considerable doubts whether the acquisition of dense BWPs should surely be 1 of the modernisation priorities for the coming years, but if so, we should definitely entrust their production to the Polish armory. Badgers prove that our manufacture can construct vehicles at the highest global level. He just needs a chance.
The second, alongside the tank, the modernization program of the land troops, which will attract quite a few attention next year, is definitely artillery: barrel and rocket. I very much hope that in 2026 it will be possible to make adverse decisions about the acquisition of Korean cannonshaubic, alternatively of doubling the production of Polish Crabs, to transform into a affirmative impulse for the improvement and acquisition of the second generation of national cannonshaubic. In addition, I look forward to launching multi-guided rocket production in Poland lobster launchers. It is good that we have these weapon systems in the line, very good that they are coming, but it is absolutely crucial that we are able to produce local ammunition for them, so that in case of war we are not sentenced to abroad suppliers.
New Rosomak with ZSSW-30 tower, delivered to 18DZ in November, 2025.
There has been quite a few talk late about anti-aircraft defense, combating air raid measures and building an integrated air defence strategy by our country. I may sound like a malcontent here, but I hope that in 2026 decisions will yet be made on anti-aircraft defence systems from a tactical level. Yes, I'm very pleased with the capabilities that our air defenses offer. Pilica+, Narew and Vistula, but I think we've forgotten a small bit about the anti-aircraft defence of the tactical unions that are now full of sets of Wasp and Kub. They truly request to be replaced by modern self-propelled anti-aircraft systems, whether on a wheeled chassis or a caterpillar. Fortunately, our armory has shown interesting proposals, specified as sets SA-35, but waiting for the acquisition movement from the Polish army.
While in the context of method modernization it is easy and pleasant to talk about "large caliber" and complex weapon systems, we must definitely not forget that this shirt is the closest to the body. Soldiers request not only modern rifles, super tanks or cannons, but also, or possibly above all, good and comfortable uniforms, bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets, individual communications systems. It is good that MON and the HR General Staff have bowed to the problem of shortages in this respect, and “Speak” programme became 1 of the priorities for 2026.
Finally, on the modernization program of land troops, to which I have an ambivalent attitude. It's all about all the drone cases. I do not deny that our military must have adequate tools in this regard, both offensive and defensive. I hope, however, that we can keep common sense and buy only what we truly need. I sincerely fear the script in which we spend billions on solutions that will abruptly grow old. Our possible opponent would be most pleased with this, who led us to hold the acquisition of another key types of weapons, specified as anti-tank.
![Meczet na osiedlu Podwawelskim i modlitwa muzułmanów hali Cracovii [video] budzą wielkie emocje](https://krknews.pl/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/berkowiz-screen.jpg)
