Challenges
The security situation in Europe has changed radically since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. As a transatlantic community, we are also heavily impacted by events in other regions – the Middle East and Indo-Pacific in particular. Furthermore, given the support Russia has from Iran and North Korea, it is clear we are facing threats that are both global and interconnected.

Polish security challenges are proof of this reality. As a NATO flank country, bordering the Ukrainian war zone, I would like to briefly share our perspective. Many violations of our air space require continuous air policing and missile defense missions. The situation in Ukraine demonstrates how having effective air defense is the only way to safeguard against air threats.
 
Moreover, since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the number of cyberattacks on Poland has increased fivefold. It is worth underliningthat in 2023 there were almost six thousand cyberattacks on Polish military cyber infrastructure. In 2024 that number has skyrocketed, with over twelve hundred cyberattacks on Poland’s administration occurring each week. 
 
Additionally, we are dealing with hybrid attacks, involving migrants on our border, which requires the engagement of various security forces and significant investment. Under the National Defense and Deterrence Plan, codenamed East Shield, we are securing our border, including through a system of fortifications. This initiative is an important element of our deterrence by denial strategy and will significantly help strengthen NATO’s ability to defend every part of Alliance territory. These challenges are the foundation of our overall defense stance.
 
Weaknesses
With that broader picture in mind, I think we can all agree that the war in Ukraine has exposed major weaknesses – of Poland, of the region, and of the world at large. It has highlighted our lack of readiness to effectively prepare for the conflict. That is why, collective defense investment and industrial cooperation, the topics of today’s conference, are crucial. Defense spending is one of the most visible examples. In this respect, Poland is allocating at least 4% of GDP to defense in 2024. Although defense budgets of other NATO members are growing, some states still do not meet the 2% GDP pledge. I hope our alliance is determined to follow a more ambitious path forward. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today”.
Another exposed weakness is the production and delivery timelines of armament and ammunition. Poland is investing heavily in increasing the production capacity of its national defense industry. In order to quickly modernize our armed forces and fill the gaps resulting from donations of military equipment to Ukraine, Poland is also acquiring armament abroad. 
The U.S. remains our primary foreign partner in this area, but we also cooperate closely with European nations and South Korea. Unfortunately, due to high global demand for armament, meeting desired production timelines is becoming more and more challenging.
 
Collective efforts
That is why we need to look for opportunities to enhance collaboration in the defense industry, for example: within a framework of co-production or through the establishment of multinational defense projects. Such initiatives pool resources and expertise from multiple nations, distributing costs more equally and ensuring that all members can contribute to and benefit from advanced capabilities. Moreover, in light of the current security situation, 
we support enhanced cooperation between the public and private sectors in order to boost the development of key competencies.
 
Poland also strongly advocates for a coherent approach where NATO’s capabilities are harmonized with those of the European Union, ensuring that every euro and dollar spent contributes to our shared security, to the maximum extent possible. A prime example of this is the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative within the EU, which aims to deepen defense cooperation among member states. 
 
Additionally, we see the need for a greater European Union contribution to financing and building common defense capabilities, as well as a leading role for the EU Commissioner for Defense in this process. We support the new strategy based on European defense industry reinforcement.
 
Finally, turning towards a war-mode industry focus may be the only solution 
if we want to effectively compete with the high production capabilities of Russia and its supporting countries. Obviously, the path forward is not without challenges. Issues such as differing national regulations, varying defense budgets, technological gaps, and insufficient production capacity can hamper our collective progress. By working together, we can face these challenges and enhance the overall effectiveness of our alliance.
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 Support of Ukraine
In the context of the current situation in Ukraine, NATO should seek to provide long-term support tostrengthen the country's defense capabilities, including further reform of Ukraine's security and defense sector in line with NATO standards and the creation of an effective future force. The key issue is our collective will to see Ukraine succeed as a robust and resilient nation, equipped with the capabilities to defend and contribute to regional stability. Poland, alongside our allies, recognizes the importance of advanced and modern defense infrastructure in Ukraine.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, defense industry cooperation is not just beneficial; it is essential. For Poland and for all member states, it strengthens our collective defense, enhances our technological edge, and ensures our operational readiness. Together, we can and must rise to meet the challenges before us, securing  a safer and more stable world for everyone.
 
 Thank you for your attention and let me finish with a quote from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, reminding us of what's at stake: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. 
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak – Kamysz
Defense Industry Forum
July 9, Washington