A U.S. Army base in Poland would cost PLN 3 billion. Another dozen or so billion zlotys is needed for infrastructure: housing, schools and a hospital for 5,000 American soldiers and their families. Possible locations are Wrocław, Poznań, Bydgoszcz or Szczecin, Gen. Dariusz Łukowski, a former head of the National Security Bureau (BBN) and a director at the Ministry of National Defense (MON), said in an interview with Friday’s Rzeczpospolita.
“The final decision will be made by President Donald Trump. Only then will we have certainty. Once we have a decision on the location, the type of troops and the number of soldiers, our work will begin,” he said. He added that the investment process will take at least three years.
Asked what types of American forces Poland expects, he replied: “Those that fill a certain gap in our capabilities.” “For example, for the Americans to move to Poland a unit with deep precision-strike capability, because we have a shortage of such assets. That would let us build deterrence now and help us build our own potential with American support,” Łukowski explained.
In his view, each of the potential base locations has its advantages. If an armored brigade comes to Poland, Wrocław and its surroundings are the favorite. Szczecin’s advantage is its developed port complex. Bydgoszcz is attractive because many elements of NATO’s command chain structures are located there. In Poznań, the forward command post of the U.S. V Corps has been deployed.
The general noted that American soldiers will arrive at a permanent base with their families. “If there were 5,000 soldiers, that number grows to at least 15,000 including families. The base must be accompanied by the construction of housing, schools, preschools and a hospital. This is not just weapons depots, fuel infrastructure or training grounds where exercises can be held. That is why such a base is not an investment for the defense ministry alone, but a nationwide task, which also involves, for example, the education and health ministries,” he said. (PAP)
