Strategic exercises *Iron Defender-25* have begun in Poland, marking the biggest drills of the year. Around 30,000 troops from Poland and allied countries, along with more than 600 units of various equipment, are taking part. The maneuvers involve land, sea, and air components and are being conducted at training grounds in the Warmian-Masurian, Pomeranian, and Subcarpathian voivodeships.

At the same time, Poland is strengthening its own defense capabilities. The government has announced a record military budget for 2026 — nearly 55 billion dollars, or 4.8% of GDP. One of the key initiatives is the *Eastern Shield* project, aimed at fortifying the eastern borders with Russia and Belarus. In addition, the country is actively rearming: purchasing South Korean K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, Chunmoo rocket systems, and FA-50 aircraft, as well as American Abrams tanks, Apache helicopters, HIMARS launchers, and Patriot missile defense systems. This makes the Polish army one of the strongest in Europe.