Polish Defence Ministry plans to evaluate buying US Stryker armored vehicles even as its existing domestic Rosomak fleet grows.
MoD Sends Letter of Request for Strykers
Polish officials have reportedly sent a Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States seeking a large number of Stryker armored vehicles. The request was made a few weeks ago but has not yet been announced publicly.
Request Is Not a Purchase but Shows Serious Intent
LoRs are frequently sent and do not automatically mean a contract, but they indicate that the option is being seriously considered. According to journalist Bartłomiej Kucharski of “Wojsko i Technika”, different factions within the MoD pursue varying proposals, and occasionally one becomes a reality.
Existing Rosomak Fleet and Production Limits
Poland already operates thousands of Rosomak wheeled IFVs, a local licence-production of the Finnish Patria AMV. Production began in 2003 at the Siemianowice Śląskie plant, with about a thousand vehicles built to date. However, the factory does not operate at full capacity; only about 100 chassis can be produced per line annually, and a second line is slated to be commissioned in 2–3 years. So far, Poland has not ordered enough units to meet the increased needs for new divisions and additional manpower.
US Army Drawdowns Increase Interest in Strykers
Polish analysts cite US Army plans to cut troop strength from 30,000 to up to 90,000 soldiers as part of President Trump’s defence reform aimed at cost savings and competition with China. The reduction targets the Army’s ground forces, which would likely trigger a need to replace numerous Stryker brigades.
Governance Gap Between MoD and State Asset Ministry
There is no consistent strategy for domestic defence production. The MoD and the Ministry of State Assets, which oversees military equipment, work poorly together. Military complaints about cost, quality, and delivery time conflict with industrial claims that weapons makers impose unrealistic expectations and prefer foreign suppliers.
Comparing Domestic Production with Foreign Alternatives
Polish Krab self-propelled howitzers, not fully domestic, are assembled in Huta Stalowa Wola but modernised there. Since 2022 the country has ordered Korean K9 howitzers, financing South Korean production rather than developing domestic capacity, leading to fewer Krabs in the army compared to K9s.
