Pentagon gives green light for permanent US base in Poland, final decision due early December

Green light from the Pentagon

On 10 November 2026, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told a press conference in Washington that the Pentagon had given a green light to a permanent US military base in Poland. He met Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that day, accompanied by deputy ministers Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka and Paweł Zalewski. The minister described the visit as a breakthrough and argued that Poland had become a strategic partner of the United States.

“Poland is not only a model ally of the United States, but has become a strategic partner of the United States.”

Decision still pending

Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the final decision belongs to the White House and is expected at the start of December. Asked about the permanent presence of American troops, Hegseth said things were moving in the right direction, according to the minister. Kosiniak-Kamysz read that answer as a signal from the Pentagon, while noting that a green light does not mean all necessary administrative decisions have been taken. Spider's Web reported that the infrastructure is to be ready for about 5,000 soldiers together with their families, with costs estimated at 15 to 17 billion zloty. The minister said the details would be made public soon.

Background to the talks

The talks build on earlier contacts between Warsaw and Washington. President Karol Nawrocki visited the White House on 3 September 2025, when Donald Trump spoke of the possibility of increasing the number of American soldiers in Poland. In January 2026, after a meeting between the two presidents in Davos, Nawrocki said the discussions covered US troop presence and military infrastructure development, including in Lower Silesia. In May 2026 Trump announced that an additional 5,000 American soldiers would be sent to Poland, saying he had made the decision based on his relationship with Nawrocki.

Industry and the PAC-3 centre

Hegseth praised Poland's commitment to NATO and its defence spending, which Poland's side says is close to 5% of GDP. According to the Pentagon's representative, Poland was chosen to host a European service centre for PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot batteries. The location, cost and start date of that centre have not been set. Officials said production lines for components are being developed and that joint production of key ammunition is under analysis. Kosiniak-Kamysz added that the host would sign a declaration of intent with Poland to speed up cooperation in the defence industry.

Next steps

The White House decision is expected in early December, and the Polish minister said talks on strengthening the permanent US presence are already under way. Until then, the Pentagon's signal is the most concrete public statement from the American side so far.