This case study, one of four, examines Poland’s approach to digital capabilities. It identifies lessons that can be drawn from Poland’s experience and approach.

Poland's Digital Defence Landscape

Lessons from Polish investment in digital capabilities for defence

Judith Huismans, Rebecca Lucas, Ondrej Palicka, Sarah Winder, Erik Silfversten

ResearchPublished Jan 21, 2026

Ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Summit in The Hague, Microsoft commissioned a range of think tanks and research organisations to conduct projects examining digital capability across defence. The projects are intended to help to better articulate how NATO and its members can progress the development of digital capabilities and encourage informed dialogue before and after the Summit. As part of this effort, RAND Europe proposed to write papers across three aspects of digital capability development.

This case study is one of four country-based deep dives that were written as part of Paper 1: this case study covers Poland, while the other three cover Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. Research for this document was based on a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and workshops. The short studies provide examples of how different NATO Allies have approached digital capability development. They are intended to be read alongside the other research papers as an addition or supplement.

Key Findings

  • The Polish approach to defence digitalisation is characterised by significant investments, many of which go towards acquisitions of major and expensive platforms; these also bring substantial sustainment costs.
  • The Polish example highlights the fact that digitalisation is a multifaceted process that goes beyond the acquisition of new technologies; other lines of development include updated processes, organisational structures, or training.
  • Poland has managed to emerge as a major player in the field, investing heavily in cyber security as one of the most attacked countries in the world; however, it continues to face staffing and skills challenges.

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Huismans, Judith, Rebecca Lucas, Ondrej Palicka, Sarah Winder, and Erik Silfversten, Poland's Digital Defence Landscape: Lessons from Polish investment in digital capabilities for defence. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3831-6.html.
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This research was sponsored by Microsoft and conducted within the Defence, Security and Justice Program within RAND Europe.

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