Poland has secured approval from the United States for the purchase of 400 advanced AIM-120D air-to-air missiles, further reinforcing its defense posture amid ongoing security concerns in Eastern Europe.
The U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the State Department had authorised the deal, which includes associated equipment and support.
The agency noted that the missile acquisition would enhance Poland’s ability to counter current and future threats, particularly by improving air defence capabilities for both Polish and allied forces.
Speaking on Wednesday from a steel production facility in southern Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the deal as a vital step in addressing a critical shortfall in Europe’s air defence infrastructure.
“This agreement is a necessary response to the evolving security environment,” Tusk said. “The need for robust protection against aerial threats has never been more evident.”
The missile purchase adds to a series of recent defence deals between Warsaw and Washington.
Poland has previously signed agreements for 800 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), 232 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, and a separate $850 million contract for AIM-120C missiles.
Poland currently allocates 4.7% of its gross domestic product to defence—the highest ratio among NATO member states—and plans to increase that figure to 5% by 2026.
Tusk emphasised that security cooperation between Poland and the United States remains strong. “This latest development underscores the enduring partnership between our two countries, regardless of political changes on either side of the Atlantic,” he said.
On the same day, the European Commission confirmed that Poland had submitted a formal request to activate the EU’s “escape clause,” a mechanism that would allow increased defence spending without violating fiscal discipline rules.
The clause, introduced earlier this year, permits member states to raise defence budgets by up to 1.5% of GDP annually over four years without triggering penalties for exceeding deficit thresholds.
Poland’s request aligns with broader European efforts to scale up military readiness, particularly in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The European Commission has projected a €650 billion investment in defense across the bloc over the next four years under this initiative.
Poland is currently under an excessive deficit procedure, but the escape clause, if granted, would allow the country to expand its military investments without immediate fiscal repercussions.
