Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on 10 November 2026, securing signals of progress on a permanent US military base in Poland and signing a declaration of intent to expand bilateral defence industry cooperation.

Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as Minister of National Defence, was accompanied by Deputy Ministers Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka and Paweł Zalewski. Following the discussions, he described Poland as having moved beyond the role of a model US ally to become a strategic partner of the United States.

On the question of a permanent US military base in Poland, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Hegseth indicated that matters were moving in a positive direction, which the Polish minister interpreted as a green light from the Pentagon. A final decision is expected from the White House in early December. Work by joint teams on site selection and the foundations of relevant agreements is continuing.

The two sides signed a declaration of intent aimed at increasing the scale and pace of bilateral defence industry cooperation. Hegseth stated during the meeting that Poland serves as an example for other NATO allies and that the goal is to make the effects of the cooperation visible in real time.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland intends to act as a conduit for US defence industry interests within the European Union, with the aim of allowing equipment produced by Polish-American companies to access European funds. He said he would present this position at the EU defence ministers meeting the following Tuesday.

The minister also referenced the establishment of a service centre for Apache and Black Hawk helicopters in Poland, and noted US approval for Poland to host a service centre for PAC-3 missiles used in the Patriot air defence system, which he described as opening the way for further joint defence industry initiatives.

Source: Ministry of National Defence of Poland. Read the original (published 2026-11-10).