THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR ON POLAND’S DEFENSE CAPABILITIES: FROM BUDGET INCREASES TO SYSTEMATIC MODERNIZATION

Abstract

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent Russo-Ukrainian Conflict altered the threat perceptions of European states and ended the stagnant defensive landscape that had dominated the continent for many years. Confronted by a destabilized regional security order, European states are undergoing a substantive defense transformation defined by the strategic escalation of budgetary resources and a comprehensive modernization of their conventional military architectures. Poland is one of the leading countries in this regard. Poland has seen the largest increase in defense spending among all European countries. Indeed, Poland is implementing a comprehensive modernization program to improve the capabilities of its armed forces. Consequently, Poland is undergoing a geopolitical metamorphosis into a pivotal European military power; by aggressively scaling its deterrent posture, Warsaw is fundamentally consolidating its position as a central pillar within the continent’s evolving security architecture. This research seeks to evaluate the causal impact of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict on the Republic of Poland’s fiscal defense allocations and its strategic military procurement trajectory.

Keywords

• Russia-Ukraine Conflict
• Poland
• Defense Expenditures
• Armament
• Modernization

RUSYA-UKRAYNA SAVAŞI’NIN POLONYA’NIN SAVUNMA KAPASİTESİNE ETKİSİ: BÜTÇE ARTIŞINDAN SİSTEMATİK MODERNİZASYONA

Abstract

Rusya’nın Kırım’ı ilhakı ve ardından başlayan Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı, Avrupa devletlerinin tehdit algılamalarını değiştirmiş ve savunma alanında uzun yıllardır kıtaya hâkim olan durağan görüntüyü sona erdirmiştir. Ortaya çıkan yeni güvenlik ortamının etkisiyle birçok Avrupa devletinin savunma için ayırdığı kaynakları artırdığı ve askerî yeteneklerini geliştirme doğrultusunda önemli adımlar attığı görülmektedir. Polonya, bu anlamda öne çıkan devletlerin başında gelmektedir. Tüm Avrupa devletleri içerisinde savunma harcamalarında en fazla artış Polonya’da gerçekleşmiştir. Nitekim Polonya, silahlı kuvvetlerinin imkân ve kabiliyetlerini geliştirmek için geniş kapsamlı bir modernizasyon programını yürütmektedir. Bugün Polonya, Avrupa’nın en önemli askerî güçlerinden biri olma yolunda ilerlemekte ve artan caydırıcılığına koşut olarak kıtanın savunma mimarisindeki rolünü konsolide etmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı’nın Polonya’nın savunma harcamalarına ve silahlanma girişimlerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı
• Polonya
• Savunma Harcamaları
• Silahlanma
• Modernizasyon

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