Why It’s Time For A Permanent U.S. Army Base In Poland

The U.S. Army has close to 10,000 soldiers in Poland and it’s high time for them to have a permanent major military base of their own.  President Donald J. Trump could announce it any day.  “Great News!” Trump posted on September 17. “Thanks to the leadership of my friend Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland.”  Hence all eyes are on the meeting this week between Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Poland’s Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

With Putin sweeping his rigged elections in Russia, Poland has a lot on the line.  Russia has persistently targeted Polish railways.  Arson, cyber-attacks, and drone strikes like the August 5 targeting of Leipzig-Halle airport provide all the evidence needed that Russia is waging a war of choice against European security.  That’s why Poland is spending nearly $50 billion on defense this year, close to 5% of its GDP.

American forces began rotations to Poland in 2017.  In 2026, with increased concerns over counter-drone defense, a formal agreement and a U.S. base are necessary precautions for force protection.  Permanently basing a U.S. armored combat brigade in Poland on a timetable consistent with Poland constructing the infrastructure for this presence – a small city with barracks, housing and schools for dependents, and local logistic support – would create a bulwark against Russia.

On June 3, Poland’s Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz submitted a formal proposal to the Pentagon to establish a new, permanent U.S. military base in Poland.  “U.S. engagement in Poland’s security is not diminishing, on the contrary, it may be even greater!” he posted on X at the time.  

Next, Undersecretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby scouted out potential base locations during his August visit to NATO headquarters.  Over a year ago, a CSIS report concluded that “the U.S. Army should remain a bulwark for deterrence in Europe” including permanent stationing of U.S. forces and a headquarters as well. 

Warsaw is 350 miles east of Berlin.  The core of NATO has shifted eastward and northward, and Poland is the linchpin of NATO’s ground forces for countering and deterring Russia.  The Belarus border is already tense.  Then there is Kaliningrad.  Kaliningrad Oblast is an enclave of Russian territory sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.  Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad along with top-level air defenses.  If Putin’s next target is the Baltics, NATO forces in Poland must be ready to act fast.

Poland will soon possess the strongest conventional military in Europe, capable of deterring any aggression on NATO’s eastern border.  Poland has already purchased nearly 400 U.S. Army Abrams tanks, the last of which will be delivered by late 2026, and has a strategic requirement for 600 more.  The meeting between Secretary Hegseth and Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz presents an opportunity for Poland to build up its full armor shield with a new tranche of American Abrams tanks.  F-35 stealth fighters began arriving this summer, and Poland will acquire 96 Apache helicopter gunships.  A permanent U.S. base will cement the partnership with Poland that is key to deterring Putin.  Trump is eager for this historic agreement, and the moment is now.