English Section

Poland begins construction of new 155mm ammunition plant as defence minister reassures on US troop presence

29.10.2025 12:25
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz denied reports that the United States plans to reduce its military presence in Poland, saying Warsaw had received no such information.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (center) attended a cornerstone ceremony at the MESKO plant in Kraśnik, southeastern Poland, to mark the start of construction of a new factory for 155 mm artillery shell casings.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (center) attended a cornerstone ceremony at the MESKO plant in Kraśnik, southeastern Poland, to mark the start of construction of a new factory for 155 mm artillery shell casings.Photo: PAP/Wojtek Jargiło

Speaking on Wednesday during a cornerstone ceremony for a new 155mm artillery shell factory in Kraśnik, southeastern Poland, he emphasized that “Poland and the United States are ironclad allies.”

His comments came after Romania’s defense ministry announced that Washington had informed Bucharest and other NATO allies of a decision to scale back U.S. troop numbers along the alliance’s eastern flank.

Around 1,000 U.S. troops are expected to remain in Romania, according to officials in Bucharest.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland continues to receive assurances from Washington about a stable - and potentially expandable - U.S. military presence in the country.

Roughly 10,000 American troops are currently stationed in Poland.

MESKO launches construction of new 155mm ammunition production hall

Photo: PAP/Wojtek Jargiło Photo: PAP/Wojtek Jargiło

The minister made his remarks at the MESKO defense plant, where construction has begun on a new facility to produce 155mm artillery shell casings used in Poland’s Krab and South Korean K9 Thunder howitzers.

The project, led by the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will expand MESKO’s production capacity to around 9,000 square meters.

PGZ plans to build three such factories by 2028, aiming to produce up to 180,000 shells annually.

“By placing a time capsule at the MESKO plant in Kraśnik, we are launching the construction and expansion of production infrastructure for manufacturing 155mm artillery ammunition - a key caliber for our defense capabilities,” the Polish Armaments Group announced.



(mp)

Source: Radio Poland/IAR/PAP/MON/PGZ