On Friday, March 6, 2026, in Warsaw, Polish Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, met with Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space.
Photo: Krzysztof Gumul/WCEO
“The subject of our meeting was, of course, to a large extent the SAFE program – a program for building a strong and secure Poland, a strong and secure Europe, and the independence of arms production in Europe. Everything happening in the Middle East makes that production independence in Europe, supply chains, and the development of our own defense industry capabilities even more important,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“The global defense industry, including the American defense industry, will be focused on replenishing equipment depleted by the United States and by the Gulf states, which most often use American equipment. We have a great deal of American equipment under contract. We are waiting for it, and we are also monitoring whether there will be any delays resulting precisely from what is happening in the Middle East. If this conflict continues, then unfortunately that risk will certainly exist. We have very good experience in this Polish-American relationship, but the Americans have also clearly said: Europe must do more. Commissioner Kubilius responded to that by proposing, together with us, during the Polish presidency, a program meaning: Europe is rearming, Europe is building its capabilities, Europe is giving it everything it has, giving much more than ever before. It must take greater responsibility for its security. This cannot be done without investment. Investment on a large scale. That is why Poland, as the largest beneficiary of the SAFE program in Europe, is ready to implement it. We are waiting for the president’s decision. I appeal for it once again. These are funds that are very much needed,” the head of the Ministry of National Defence said after the meeting.
During the conversation between the head of the Ministry of National Defence and the EU commissioner, they also discussed the key challenges facing European security, including the consequences of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its impact on regional stability. They also addressed the current security situation in the Middle East, including tensions related to Iran’s actions and their potential consequences for international security. Another important topic was cooperation among EU member states in strengthening defense capabilities, developing the European defense industry, and the role of new technologies and space in the security system.
“If additional funds become available, for example from the National Bank of Poland, to supplement the SAFE program, this will create the possibility of larger procurements, counter-drone batteries under the SAN program, the expansion of infrastructure, the construction of infrastructure needed for this equipment, as well as procurements in other areas. So we are ready for two major projects. But the first one is ready, the first one is on the table, that is the SAFE program, and we want to implement it. I think what is very important for us is production independence here in Poland. The supply chain must be European, it must be Polish. COVID showed how dangerous the lack of production independence is, in Poland, in Europe, across the European Union. That is what the SAFE program is for. It has several strategic objectives. Above all, it is about building the strength and potential of national armed forces as part of strengthening the North Atlantic Alliance, expanding the defense industry, and ensuring production independence,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
“Poland is a key country for Europe’s security and for the defense industry. We want to support the defense sector – it is one of our priorities. We are talking about missiles, drones, and ammunition. This is very important to us. Missiles are one of our challenges – looking at the statistics on the use of such systems in Ukraine, this is an important issue. (…) Europe needs stronger missile defense. This is of critical importance both for us and for Ukraine. We must increase production, and Poland can play a significant role here,” said Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space.
