Poland has rejected a US request to transfer Patriot air defense systems to the Middle East, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Tuesday, March 31.
According to Polish outlet Rzeczpospolita, Washington suggested that one of Poland’s Patriot batteries, as well as PAC-3 missiles, could be deployed to support operations linked to the war with Iran.
‘They protect Polish skies’
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland does not plan to relocate its air defense systems.
“Our Patriot batteries and their equipment serve to protect Polish skies and NATO’s eastern flank. Nothing changes in this regard, and we are not planning to move them anywhere,” he wrote on X.
Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk echoed the position, saying the systems are needed for national defense.
Security priorities at home
Polish officials stressed that the country faces its own security challenges, including tensions on the border with Belarus and ongoing military buildup.
A senior presidential aide, Zbigniew Bogucki, said Poland remains a committed US ally but is under significant pressure to strengthen its own armed forces.
He added that there has been no formal request from Washington, describing the discussions as informal.
Broader tensions over Iran war
Poland’s stance aligns with a broader reluctance among European allies to become directly involved in the US- and Israel-led conflict with Iran.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said earlier this month that Poland would not send troops, arguing the war does not directly affect national security.
The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, has disrupted global energy markets after Iran restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route.