Poland’s top military commander has sounded an alarm that reverberates across NATO’s eastern flank: the nation’s stockpiles of ammunition have dwindled significantly due to its extensive support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
polish self propelled howitzer krab
Photo credit: Global Defense Corp
Major General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of Poland’s armed forces, revealed in a recent television interview shared online on March 30 that the country’s reserves have taken a substantial hit, raising concerns about its readiness to face potential threats.
With Poland positioned as a frontline ally against Russian aggression, this admission underscores a broader challenge for Warsaw—balancing its role as a key supporter of Kyiv with its own defense needs. Yet, beneath the surface lies a story of transformation, as Poland pours unprecedented resources into rebuilding its military might.
" Poland has enough ammunition for five days of war"
Polish Major General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of the country's armed forces, noted that Ukraine's support had emptied Poland's ammunition depots. At the same time, the general said that it might be better not to… pic.twitter.com/JPjicEKLxi
— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) March 30, 2025
The revelation comes at a pivotal moment for Poland, a nation that has emerged as one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers. Since the war broke out, Poland has delivered over 320 Soviet-era T-72 tanks, dozens of Krab self-propelled howitzers, and thousands of artillery shells, according to data compiled by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
This aid, valued at billions of dollars, has helped Ukraine sustain its fight against Russian forces, particularly in the grueling artillery duels that define the conflict. But the cost to Poland has been steep.
General Klisz’s statement, aired on a Polish television broadcast, highlights how these transfers have strained the country’s ability to maintain its own ammunition reserves, a critical component of any military’s combat endurance. While exact figures on remaining stocks remain classified, the general’s candid assessment signals a vulnerability that Poland is racing to address.
That vulnerability is most keenly felt in the realm of artillery, where Poland’s contributions to Ukraine have been substantial. The AHS Krab, a cornerstone of Poland’s modern arsenal, exemplifies this strain.
Developed by Huta Stalowa Wola, the Krab is a 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer mounted on a South Korean K9 Thunder chassis, powered by a 1,000-horsepower MTU engine. With a range of 25 miles using standard rounds—or up to 34 miles with extended-range munitions—it can fire six shells per minute, delivering devastating firepower.
Weighing 52 tons and crewed by five soldiers, the Krab integrates a sophisticated fire-control system, making it a versatile weapon for both offensive and defensive operations. Poland has fielded over 80 Krabs since its adoption in 2016, with plans to acquire dozens more by 2026, as reported by Army Recognition. But the system’s effectiveness hinges on a steady supply of 155-mm shells, many of which have been redirected to Ukraine, leaving Polish units potentially under-resourced.
The Krab’s role in Poland’s military strategy is amplified by its compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition, a shift from the Soviet-era 122-mm and 152-mm calibers that once dominated its arsenal. This transition reflects Poland’s broader alignment with Western military norms, but it also exposes a dependency on production lines that have struggled to keep pace with wartime demands.
In Ukraine, artillery accounts for up to 70 percent of casualties, with both sides firing tens of thousands of rounds daily, according to estimates from the Royal United Services Institute. Poland’s donations—estimated at over 50,000 shells by mid-2023—have depleted its stockpiles, forcing the country to rely on domestic production and imports.
The state-owned PGZ Group has ramped up output, but a November 2024 report from Army Recognition noted that Poland allocated 3 billion zlotys [about $750 million] to accelerate ammunition manufacturing, a clear sign that reserves had reached critical levels.
Poland’s predicament is not just a logistical challenge; it’s a tactical one that could shape its ability to deter aggression along its 650-mile border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave.
The Krab’s firepower, paired with Poland’s growing fleet of K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea, forms the backbone of its land forces. The K2, a 55-ton behemoth with a 120-mm smoothbore gun, boasts advanced armor and a top speed of 43 miles per hour.
Poland ordered 180 K2s in 2022, with plans for 820 more by 2030, according to The Defense Post. These systems are designed to counter Russia’s T-90s and modernized T-72s, but without sufficient shells and anti-tank rounds, their combat potential could be blunted.
General Klisz’s admission suggests that Poland’s current reserves might not sustain a high-intensity conflict, a concern echoed by Dariusz Lukowski, head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, who emphasized that the war in Ukraine offers a window to rebuild military capacity.
That window is being seized with urgency. Poland now spends 4.7 percent of its GDP on defense—more than any other NATO member, including the United States—according to figures released by the Polish government earlier this year. This translates to roughly $35 billion annually, dwarfing the 2 percent benchmark set by the alliance.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has leveraged this investment to announce ambitious plans, including doubling the army from its current 200,000 troops to 500,000 and training millions of reservists. In a speech to parliament, Tusk outlined a vision of Poland as a military powerhouse, capable of holding the line against any adversary.
This buildup is complemented by the “Eastern Shield” initiative, a $2.6 billion project to fortify the border with trenches, sensors, and up to one million anti-personnel mines, as disclosed by Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda and reported by Visegrád 24. The scope of these efforts reveals a nation determined to turn its current weakness into long-term strength.
Historically, Poland’s fears of Russian aggression are deeply rooted. For nearly two centuries, from the partitions of the late 18th century through Soviet domination after World War II, Poland lived under Moscow’s shadow. The invasion of Ukraine reignited those anxieties, positioning Poland as NATO’s eastern bulwark.
Since 2022, the country has hosted thousands of American troops and received advanced U.S. systems like Patriot air defenses and Abrams tanks, cementing its role in the alliance. Yet, the depletion of its ammunition stocks highlights a paradox: Poland’s generosity toward Ukraine has bolstered Kyiv’s resistance but left Warsaw scrambling to refill its own arsenals.
The Polish Ministry of Defense has secured contracts with American and European suppliers, including a $1.4 billion deal for 155-mm shells announced in 2023 by Defense News, but delivery timelines stretch into late 2025, leaving a gap that adversaries could exploit.
This gap reverberates beyond Poland, exposing a broader strain within NATO. The United States, which has provided over $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine, faces its own stockpile challenges, with Pentagon officials warning in 2023 that 155-mm shell production lagged behind demand, as noted by CNN.
European allies like Germany and France have also depleted reserves, prompting a continent-wide push to boost manufacturing. Poland’s situation is unique, however, given its proximity to Russia and its outsized contributions relative to its size.
The war in Ukraine has consumed an estimated 1.5 million artillery rounds annually, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a pace that has outstripped NATO’s pre-war planning. For Poland, this reality underscores the need for self-reliance—a lesson reinforced by Lukowski’s assertion that the conflict buys time to prepare.
The push for self-reliance is already bearing fruit. Poland’s defense industry, led by companies like PGZ and WB Group, is expanding to meet domestic needs and tap export markets. The Krab howitzer, for instance, has drawn interest from Romania and Slovakia, with potential deals pending, per Army Recognition.
Meanwhile, the integration of K2 tanks and plans for 250 M1A2 Abrams from the U.S. signal a shift toward a hybrid force blending Eastern and Western technology. The K2’s autoloader allows a three-person crew to fire 10 rounds per minute, outpacing the manually loaded T-90, while its active protection system counters anti-tank missiles—a capability Russia struggles to match. These advancements position Poland to deter aggression, but only if ammunition flows keep pace with hardware.
Poland’s historical parallels with Ukraine add urgency to its efforts. Like its neighbor, Poland endured foreign occupation and fought to reclaim sovereignty, a struggle that ended with independence in 1989.
Today, that legacy fuels a determination to avoid a repeat. The “Eastern Shield” project, set to be completed by 2028, aims to create a fortified frontier reminiscent of Cold War defenses, though modernized with drones and electronic warfare systems.
Tusk’s pledge to train every able-bodied citizen as a reservist echoes Israel’s model of universal service, preparing Poland for total defense. Yet, the specter of Russia looms large—its military, though battered in Ukraine, retains significant firepower, including Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, just 180 miles from Warsaw.
Across the Atlantic, Poland’s plight resonates with American audiences wary of Russia’s ambitions. The U.S. has bolstered Poland with 10,000 troops and $6 billion in equipment since 2022, per the Department of Defense, but Poland’s leaders know they cannot rely solely on allies. The war in Ukraine has shifted European security dynamics, elevating Poland’s role as a linchpin.
NATO Secretary General praised Poland’s 4.7 percent GDP commitment in a March statement, calling it a model for the alliance, as reported by Reuters. Still, the ammunition shortfall raises questions about deterrence—questions that Poland is answering with action rather than words.
Stepping back, Poland’s journey from depleted stockpiles to military resurgence offers a complex narrative. General Klisz’s warning is not a cry of defeat but a call to adaptation, one that Poland is meeting with historic investments and bold reforms.
The nation’s leaders see the war in Ukraine not just as a drain but as a catalyst, driving a transformation that could redefine its place in Europe. The Krab howitzers and K2 tanks, once symbols of Poland’s generosity, now anchor its own defense, while the “Eastern Shield” draws a line in the sand.
As an analyst, I see Poland at a crossroads: its current vulnerability could fade into a footnote if its buildup succeeds, positioning it as NATO’s eastern powerhouse. But the clock is ticking—will Poland’s arsenal be ready before Russia tests its resolve again? In a region where history often repeats, that uncertainty lingers.
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