Konrad Goleuta, Poland’s deputy minister of state assets, told Reuters: “We are building Europe’s largest land army.” Poland’s armed forces this year have exceeded 220,000.

While building what it says will be Europe’s largest army, Poland has turned to domestic defense companies and other Central European countries in order to reduce its dependence on distant suppliers.

According to a Reuters report, those suppliers cannot quickly increase deliveries.

Based on data from Poland’s Defense Agency reviewed by Reuters, the country’s defense procurement costs from domestic companies have risen by nearly fourfold since 2022, and last year reached 30.4 billion zlotys, equivalent to $8.15 billion.