Poland Says NATO Backs Expanded Nuclear Deterrence Role
Poland says NATO allies are ready to include it in a nuclear weapons delivery program, expanding Warsaw's role in the alliance's nuclear deterrence.
WARSAW, Poland - Poland has secured support from NATO allies for its potential inclusion in an alliance program involving aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons, according to Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski. The move could expand Poland's role in NATO nuclear deterrence without necessarily involving the deployment of nuclear warheads on Polish territory.
Zalewski said on September 3 that NATO countries are, for the first time, prepared to include Poland in a program for carrying nuclear weapons. Warsaw wants to increase its participation in NATO's nuclear deterrence architecture through such a role, he told Polish broadcaster RMF FM.
The statement represents a potentially significant development for NATO's eastern flank, where Poland has become one of the alliance's largest conventional military powers while seeking a greater role in strategic deterrence.
Poland seeks nuclear delivery role without confirmed warheads
The proposal described by Zalewski concerns Poland's participation in the delivery component of NATO nuclear deterrence. It does not amount to confirmation that US nuclear weapons will be stored in Poland.
Zalewski specifically distinguished the two issues, saying discussions do not concern stationing nuclear warheads on Polish territory. He had taken the same position during talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels on August 27.
The distinction is important because participation in NATO nuclear arrangements can involve different military and political responsibilities. Poland has sought a larger role in the alliance's nuclear deterrence for years, particularly as Warsaw has expanded its armed forces following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed in late August that Poland remains interested in participation in NATO Nuclear Sharing after Zalewski's comments about not hosting nuclear warheads generated domestic political debate.
There is also disagreement inside Poland over whether Warsaw should eventually host the weapons themselves. Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau in the Polish president's office, said on August 28 that Poland should seek both participation in Nuclear Sharing and the presence of nuclear warheads on Polish territory.
F-35 fleet gives Poland a potential future platform
Poland's expanding combat aviation capabilities provide an important backdrop to the nuclear deterrence discussion.
Warsaw is acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters under a $4.6 billion agreement signed in 2020. The aircraft are replacing part of Poland's Soviet-designed combat aviation fleet and will operate alongside the country's F-16 fighters.
The F-35A is also used by NATO countries participating in the alliance's nuclear mission, although Poland's acquisition of the aircraft does not itself make Polish F-35s part of that mission.
Any Polish nuclear delivery role would therefore require political agreements as well as the appropriate certification, training, procedures and supporting infrastructure. Zalewski's September 3 statement indicates allied political openness rather than completion of those steps.
Warsaw pushes for stronger US presence on NATO eastern flank
The nuclear discussion comes alongside Polish efforts to secure a larger permanent US military presence.
Zalewski met US defense officials at NATO headquarters on August 27, including US Undersecretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Europe and NATO Policy William Cappelletti and US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker.
According to Poland's Ministry of National Defense, the discussions covered the future US military presence in Europe and particularly Poland. Preliminary discussions also addressed a planned visit by Cappelletti focused on strengthening and expanding the permanent US military presence in the country.
The two sides also discussed potential joint production and maintenance of PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot air defense system in European countries, including Poland.
For Warsaw, a larger role in nuclear deterrence would add a strategic layer to a broader defense buildup already centered on conventional forces, air and missile defense, long-range strike capabilities and deeper military cooperation with the United States.
It would also move an element of NATO's nuclear mission closer to the alliance's eastern frontier at a time when Poland views Russia as its principal long-term military threat.
Is Poland joining NATO Nuclear Sharing?
Poland says NATO allies are prepared to include it in a program involving the delivery of nuclear weapons. However, no final NATO announcement confirming Poland's full participation in Nuclear Sharing has been made public.
Will NATO nuclear weapons be stationed in Poland?
There is no confirmed decision to station NATO nuclear warheads in Poland. Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski has said the current discussions concern Poland's participation in nuclear delivery arrangements rather than storing nuclear weapons on Polish territory.
Could Polish F-35 fighters carry nuclear weapons?
Poland is acquiring 32 F-35A fighters, a variant that can perform NATO nuclear missions when appropriately configured and certified. Poland's aircraft are not automatically assigned a nuclear role, and such a mission would require additional political, technical and operational arrangements.
Why does Poland want a larger NATO nuclear role?
Warsaw has sought stronger NATO deterrence on the alliance's eastern flank amid the continuing Russian military threat. A nuclear delivery role would deepen Poland's participation in NATO's deterrence architecture alongside its rapidly expanding conventional military capabilities.
