Poland to boost defense spending to record high in 2025
Polish soldiers ride on military vehicles as they take part in the military parade during the Polish Armed Forces Day, Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 15, 2024. (EPA Photo)


Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday the central European country is set for next year's budget that would include record-high spending on defense.

Tusk presented the main points of the 2025 budget, which he described as "generous" and supporting further economic growth.

Tusk said some 186 billion zlotys ($48.5 billion) will be spent next year on increasing the defense of the nation, which borders war-torn Ukraine and where security concerns are high.

"It is a great effort but there is no turning back from it," Tusk said at a news conference.

He said the amount was a significant increase from defense spending in 2024, which accounts for over 4% of Poland’s gross domestic product (GDP). Poland is a leader in NATO and the European Union in defense spending.

Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Wziatek told Polish media that spending on defense next year will reach 4.7% of GDP.

Poland, which supports Ukraine's struggle against Russia's invasion, is making large purchases of military equipment, including from the U.S. and South Korea.

Poland's economic growth is expected to be 3.9% next year.