On Friday, June 13, 2025, Prime Minister Donald Tusk took part in the opening of a new production hall at Mesko, a part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), in Skarżysko-Kamienna, built under Project 400. As emphasized by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Poland is investing in its security. Mesko, a leading Polish ammunition manufacturer, produces one million rounds of small-caliber ammunition per day — five times more than before. Such investments are part of a broader strategy to repolonize the defense industry and reduce dependence on foreign supplies. The government has announced further investments worth several billion zlotys in Polish defense plants. Security and the development of domestic production capabilities remain top priorities.
Photos: Chancellery of the Prime Minister
Support for domestic manufacturers
Mesko, a world-class and the largest producer of ammunition and missiles in Poland, has officially opened a new investment – a facility for the production of small-caliber ammunition. This is part of Project 400, led by Mesko, aimed at increasing national production capacity and building key competencies for Poland’s defense industry (Mesko is finalizing both Project 400 and Project 44.7 – strategic investments in the Polish armaments sector).
“Mesko is a point of pride on Poland’s defense production map. This is where equipment highly valued around the world is made. We want such facilities not only to ensure the self-sufficiency of the Polish Army, but also to export to foreign markets,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press conference at Mesko’s new production hall.
Thanks to the new investment, Mesko’s production capacity has increased fivefold – to 250 million rounds of ammunition per year, compared to its previous capabilities in small-caliber ammunition. This translates to about 1 million rounds per working day.
“Looking at the analysis from Ukraine, my heart rejoices that we will finally be self-sufficient not only in small-caliber [ammunition] production. I know there are already projects underway for 155mm rounds. This is a good sign that we’ll be producing them ourselves (…)” – said Lieutenant General Marek Sokołowski, General Commander of the Polish Armed Forces.
The total budget of Project 400 amounts to 466.7 million PLN, of which 400 million PLN comes from the Reprivatization Fund of the Ministry of State Assets.
Building a Safer Poland
Investments in the defense industry and Poland’s security are one of the government’s top priorities. The events of last night in the Middle East, related to Israel’s attack on Iran, highlight just how unstable the global situation is.
“I mention the situation in Iran to once again make it clear how important it is to invest thought, money, energy, and time in Poland’s defense production – and more broadly, in our defense capabilities. There is no more important task. For me, it is the absolute top priority to build a safer Poland week by week, month by month – also thanks to investments like the one here at Mesko in Skarżysko-Kamienna,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Real defense spending in 2025 has increased by as much as 60 percent compared to 2023. Poland is using these funds to modernize and transform its military, provide soldiers with the best equipment, and strengthen the national defense industry.
A flagship initiative is East Shield – the National Deterrence and Defence Programme. This large-scale investment includes the construction of physical fortifications, natural terrain obstacles, and the most advanced anti-drone and detection systems.
Repolonization of the defense industry
The government treats actions to strengthen and repolonize the Polish economy as a top priority. It is essential to import only those products that Poland is currently unable to manufacture domestically.
“We are doing everything we can to change the unfavorable proportions that have existed for years when it comes to defense spending for the Polish military. These proportions have long – and severely – favored imports. We have spent billions of zlotys – and still do – on equipment produced outside of Poland. What we’re seeing today here in Skarżysko-Kamienna, at Mesko – and in many other places across Poland – is already significant, but it’s just the beginning,” said the Prime Minister.
This year, the Ministry of State Assets will allocate 2.4 billion PLN from the Capital Investment Fund to expand domestic capacity for ammunition production (The first thousands of 155 mm shells have rolled off Mesko’s production lines. Target: 150,000 rounds annually; Expansion of Mesko’s facility in Kraśnik).
“Today, we have multiple sources of financing for defense industry investments, but the main engine behind positive change and new weapons for the Polish Armed Forces remains the state budget and decisions made by the Polish government,” said Adam Leszkiewicz, President of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
Thanks to a consistent policy of supporting domestic industrial capacity, the Miecznik program – the construction of modern frigates for the Polish Navy – is being implemented. This project is carried out in close cooperation with the private Polish shipbuilding sector, strengthening the national production base and restoring significance to Poland’s shipyards. Production of the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle is expected to reach nearly 40 units annually, while the number of newly manufactured Rosomak armored personnel carriers is projected to reach 100 per year.
Meanwhile, Mesko will increase production of Piorun missiles, with 100 more units planned than before. This is concrete support for Polish defense companies and domestic jobs. Economic and social revival is returning to companies like Autosan in Sanok and Jelcz – symbols of Poland’s industrial tradition, now regaining their former prominence.
