Poland’s top national security official says the country’s military is prepared to withstand an invasion for up to two weeks without allied reinforcements, should conflict erupt with Russia or Belarus.
In an interview with Polsat News on March 26, Dariusz Łukowski, head of the National Security Bureau, addressed growing concerns over Poland’s readiness in the event of war.
“Depending on how this fight goes, this defense can be carried out for a week or two at today’s inventory levels,” Łukowski stated, responding to a question about how long Poland could resist an attack alone before NATO steps in.
Shortages and Modernization
Łukowski acknowledged that Poland’s Armed Forces are operating with a mix of modern weaponry and outdated systems, with ammunition shortages mostly affecting the older equipment. He emphasized that newly acquired tanks and vehicles are being delivered with appropriate munitions, but gaps remain elsewhere.
His remarks come in response to criticism from the political opposition, who claim that Poland has only five days’ worth of ammunition in the event of war. Łukowski disputed the blanket assessment, saying the reality is more nuanced and depends on the specific weapon systems in use.
A Frontline NATO State
Poland, located on NATO’s eastern flank, shares borders with Belarus and Russia’s heavily militarized Kaliningrad exclave. As such, it would likely be among the first to confront any military escalation between NATO and Russia.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has become one of Kyiv’s most active backers, sending tanks, heavy artillery, and ammunition. Warsaw has also become a critical transit hub for Western military aid entering Ukraine.
Calls for U.S. Nukes and Higher NATO Spending
Amid rising tensions, Polish President Andrzej Duda in January called on the United States to deploy nuclear weapons on Polish soil as a deterrent to further Russian aggression — a suggestion that drew sharp rebukes from Moscow.
Shortly afterward, Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged fellow NATO allies to raise their defense spending, stating that if all European members matched Poland’s defense budget, NATO’s military spending would be 10 times greater than Russia’s.
Growing Warnings of a Broader Conflict
Poland’s warning comes against the backdrop of growing fears in Western intelligence circles that Russia could pose a serious military threat to NATO members within the next five years. Some European leaders have gone so far as to urge citizens to prepare for wartime scenarios, citing the Kremlin’s increasingly belligerent rhetoric and ongoing military buildup.
