Poland redirects €5.3 billion from post-pandemic recovery fund to defense

Poland has become the first country to successfully redirect funds from the European post-COVID-19 economic recovery fund toward defense purposes.

This was announced by Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

According to the minister, the sum in question is 23 billion zlotys (€5.3 billion) from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. On this basis, a Security and Defense Fund has been established, from which local authorities and businesses can already receive financing.

“Local authorities and businesses can already apply for financing for projects aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of the state under the Security and Defense Fund. This instrument is financed from the resources of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the total volume of which amounts to approximately 23 billion zlotys,” — Kosiniak-Kamysz said at a press conference broadcast by the television channel TVP Info.

Kosiniak-Kamysz particularly emphasized that Poland has become the first country to successfully redirect funds intended for post-pandemic recovery toward defense purposes.

Overall, Poland plans to spend 200 billion zlotys (approximately €47.8 billion) on defense in 2026 — 4.8% of GDP, which is one of the highest figures among NATO countries. In addition, Warsaw has become the largest borrower under the European militarization program, having received more than €43 billion.