On Friday, April 4, 2025, a meeting of the Steering Committee for the implementation of actions in support of national defense and security, financed by the newly established Security and Defense Fund under the National Recovery Plan (Krajowy Plan Odbudowy, KPO), was held in Warsaw with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, as well as Deputy Minister and Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence, Paweł Zalewski.
Photos: Polish Ministry Of National Defence
“I remember that government meeting when Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz came with very good news — that Poland would be the first country in Europe to seek the reallocation of National Recovery Plan funds toward security and defense. This is an absolute priority of our presidency, and it is an absolute priority in the European Union today. Let us build the strength of Poland and of the Union through investment — in armaments, the defense industry, both private and state-owned companies, civil defense, and cybersecurity. This is absolutely crucial. It is the core mission of our public service today: to protect independence, sovereignty, and to ensure the safety of our families,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The Steering Committee, which began its work today, will play a key role in the effective implementation and oversight of activities financed by the Fund. Its responsibilities will include not only ensuring efficient use of resources, but also maintaining transparency and a strategic approach to developing the Republic of Poland’s defense capabilities.
“Poland is moving even faster in these efforts than the European Commission — the White Paper is yet to be implemented, while we are already coming forward with an initiative to reallocate 26 billion PLN from the funds established for recovery. Originally meant for post-COVID recovery, these funds will now serve to build security. And that is the best decision we can make. Today, we will discuss the areas that should receive additional investment. (…) State-owned and private companies, as well as research institutes, will certainly receive support to grow and expand their production lines, their capabilities — simply put, to invest in security. This gives us the opportunity to fully utilize the European funds already available today. Why must Poland be strong? Why must Poland reallocate funds within the National Recovery Plan and do everything it can to invest in its own security? Because only strength can deter. Only the strong will be feared,” emphasized the Minister of National Defence.
The institution responsible for implementing investments under the Fund will be the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy. The Steering Committee for the Fund — which will develop, among other things, investment priorities and selection criteria for projects financed by the Security and Defense Fund — includes the following institutions: the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of State Assets, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the Ministry of Development and Technology, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy.
The Security and Defense Fund is being established as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Fund’s resources will be allocated to strengthening Poland’s defense and security capabilities. They will finance:
- infrastructure and sectors related to dual-use products and technologies (e.g., mobility, secure communication systems);
- infrastructure necessary for the protection of the population and critical infrastructure (e.g., shelters, storage facilities, medical care facilities, energy grid protections);
- products such as: engineering equipment, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, ICT solutions, etc.;
- services such as: ground and satellite communication-related services; Research, development, and implementation work, e.g., innovative technological solutions for monitoring and surveillance, communication, data analysis, decision-making support, and the use of autonomous systems (drones);
- co-financing of the production capacities of Polish enterprises, including modernization of companies in the defense and security sectors;
- cybersecurity, particularly for local governments.
The Fund will be able to invest in areas of support defined by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which finances the National Recovery Plan, including economic resilience and competitiveness, as well as the green and digital transitions.