Poland offers five locations for a potential permanent US military base

13:47

By: Azzat Manal

Poland offers five locations for a potential permanent US military base

Poland has offered the United States at least five potential locations for the establishment of a permanent military base, as Warsaw seeks to deepen its long-term defence cooperation with Washington and strengthen the American military presence on Polish territory.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the country was prepared to host US troops on a permanent basis, describing the readiness to accommodate American forces as a central element of Warsaw’s proposal.

The initiative follows a formal offer reportedly submitted by Poland to the United States earlier this year. A US delegation is currently assessing potential sites and is expected to determine which location would be most suitable for a permanent installation.

The Polish government has identified Wrocław, Poznań, Powidz, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin among the possible locations. Szczecin already has experience hosting US military personnel, while Powidz has become an important hub for allied military infrastructure and logistics.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said Polish authorities had presented American officials with details of the country’s defence-industrial capabilities as well as the infrastructure available at the proposed sites. The discussions form part of Warsaw’s broader efforts to reinforce its security position amid heightened tensions in Europe.

Poland has been one of the strongest supporters of an expanded US military presence on NATO’s eastern flank. The country has significantly increased defence spending in recent years and invested in military infrastructure, equipment and cooperation with allied forces.

The choice of location for a permanent base would depend not only on military considerations but also on the quality of surrounding infrastructure. According to the Polish defence minister, US authorities are paying particular attention to facilities that could support military personnel and their families over the long term.

Schools are among the factors being considered, especially institutions offering education in English or international curricula. Access to extracurricular activities, cultural facilities and sports infrastructure is also viewed as important for ensuring suitable living conditions for service members and their families.

The emphasis on family infrastructure reflects the difference between a temporary military deployment and a permanent overseas presence. Long-term stationing requires communities capable of accommodating military families, including access to education, housing, healthcare and everyday services.

For Warsaw, a permanent US base would carry both strategic and political significance. Poland has consistently argued that a stronger American presence in Central and Eastern Europe would contribute to NATO’s deterrence capabilities and reinforce the alliance’s eastern flank.

The proposal also comes as European NATO members continue to reassess their defence policies in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Poland has emerged as one of the alliance’s most active military powers in the region and has sought closer cooperation with the United States as part of its national security strategy.

Any decision on the proposed base will ultimately depend on US military assessments, infrastructure requirements and broader strategic considerations within NATO. The process could also have implications for the distribution of American forces across Europe.

For Poland, however, the offer signals a clear willingness to expand its role as a major host for allied forces and to further consolidate its position as a key security partner for Washington in Central Europe.