In 2025 Poland exported 2.487 billion EUR of arms, about 21 percent little than a year earlier. As much as €1.683 billion, nearly 68% of all sales, fell to Ukraine. It's a solid result, but not proof of export power. Polish manufacture remains dependent on war and respective customers.
Exports have grown, but they've slowed down.
Since 2020, Poland has made a large leap. At the time, the actual export of arms was EUR 393 million. In 2021 it was EUR 499 million, in 2022 it was EUR 1,180 billion, and in 2023 it was EUR 1.753 billion. The evidence came in 2024 erstwhile sales reached EUR 3.145 billion. The consequence for 2025, EUR 2.487 billion, is more than six times higher than 5 years before, but at the same time about 1 5th lower than the record.
Ministry of abroad Affairs study for 2025 besides shows the sales structure. Ammunition and its components accounted for about EUR 1.03 billion and aviation products accounted for about EUR 815 million. There were further bombs, missiles and another fighting measures worth EUR 162 million and armored and protective equipment worth EUR 103 million.
This is real development. It's not allowed to be reduced. However, the increase in turnover must be distinguished from the sustainable export position. Industrial power has a wide portfolio of its own products, many customers and the ability to win further tenders without war cheering. Poland is just building specified a position.
Ukraine is liable for 2 thirds of sales
The biggest client was Ukraine, which bought Polish weapons for EUR 1,683 billion. The Philippines was liable for EUR 246 million and the United States for EUR 179 million. These 3 directions brought together about 85 percent of full exports. Sales to another countries amounted to about €379 million, which was close to the overall 2020 result.
Such concentration reveals weakness. The war in Ukraine created a immense request for ammunition and military equipment, but it will not last forever. Poland should support the assaulted state against Russian aggression while preparing its own manufacture in time after the end of the armed action. Without this, today's growth can turn into a sharp fall in orders.
MFA data do not include weapons transferred by Polish authorities to Ukraine under the grant due to the fact that this information is covered by confidentiality clauses. The study describes commercial exports. This is an crucial discrimination due to the fact that it allows to measure the sales of companies alternatively than to mix them with state aid.
Lightning shows the right direction
The best example of a product capable of building a Polish brand is the portable anti-aircraft set Lightning. From 2022 to 2025 Poland sold these missiles to Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, Moldova, Sweden and the United States. This shows a diversification of customers and a product that responds to the real needs of the army.
The export of dense platforms looks worse. In 2025, 15 S-70i helicopters in the Philippines were among the larger deliveries. Machines were created in Polish Aviation Plants in Mielec, but the plant belongs to American Lockheed Martin. Black Hawks' future dispute with Mielec recalls that the place of production does not yet mean full control of technology, product rights and sales policy.
Poland needs more systems in which it has intellectual property, improvement capacity and freedom to offer them abroad. What gaps stay in the national offer, he besides said overview of systems shown on MSPO 2026. Halls and machines alone are not adequate if exports are based on ammunition, single successes and cooperation with abroad companies.
Orders for the army must build export
The state spends immense money on modernization of the Armed Forces of Poland. These measures should leave the competences, workplaces, service and the right to further make products in Poland. Each major import contract must besides be assessed in terms of technology transfer and the share of national establishments. Otherwise, Poland will stay a large client of another people's factories, and its own manufacture will be waiting for further budget orders.
Arms exports are more crucial than the company's financial result. Longer production series reduce the unit cost of equipment for the Polish army, keep staff and let to rapidly increase production in the crisis. It's part of the state's sovereignty.
The €2.487 billion consequence gives emergence to cautious optimism, but does not justify triumphant declarations. Poland has respective good products and increasing production capacity. It lacks a wide, business-resistant export portfolio. The real test will come erstwhile the war request in Ukraine weakens. By this day, you gotta build a market, technology, and brand that will defend itself without political fanfare.
Source: Ministry of abroad Affairs, Defence24
Source: Defence24
