Donald Trump Announces Progress on Establishing US Army Base in Poland

Presidential announcement

US President Donald Trump announced on 17 September 2026 that talks on establishing a dedicated US Army base in Poland have progressed. Writing on Truth Social, Trump attributed the momentum to cooperation with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. While the specific site was not disclosed, Trump noted that the location would be announced soon if the initiative proceeds.

Thanks to the bold leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland.

Nawrocki responded on X, confirming Warsaw's readiness to support the project and ensure an optimal site for American forces.

I can assure you that the Polish government will make every effort to provide the best possible location for the US Army base.

Site selection and infrastructure planning

Polish officials are currently evaluating potential hosting areas for the proposed base. Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau in the Chancellery of the President, stated in a television interview that two specific locations are under primary consideration. Earlier site assessments presented to American delegates included Lower Silesia, specifically the areas around Wrocław and Oleśnica, alongside options in Wielkopolska and Pomerania.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence estimated that constructing the necessary infrastructure will cost between 15 billion and 17 billion zlotys. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz previously indicated that the proposed facilities would accommodate not only service members but also their families, targeting project completion by 2030. Under the ministry's framework, the installation would host approximately 5,000 permanent US soldiers, accompanied by up to 10,000 personnel deployed on a rotational schedule.

Diplomatic and military consultations

The announcement follows a series of bilateral meetings in Warsaw and Washington. Earlier in September, a US delegation including Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War William Cappelletti, and Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby visited Poland to inspect prospective base locations and review joint defence initiatives. Discussions covered joint ventures in arms manufacturing and the servicing of Patriot PAC-3 missile interceptors, building on a July agreement signed at the NATO summit in Ankara.

In Washington, Polish chargé d'affaires Bogdan Klich conducted talks on Wednesday and Thursday with US Representatives Michael McCaul and Michael Rulli regarding the deployment of 5,000 additional US troops. Earlier in the week, the United States approved $4 billion in military aid for Poland.

Pentagon posture review and upcoming meetings

A final determination regarding the base depends on the Pentagon's review of American military posture in Europe, which is scheduled to conclude in November or December 2026. Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that formal outcomes could emerge within several weeks. Kosiniak-Kamysz is scheduled to travel to the Pentagon next Wednesday for direct talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding permanent troop stationing.

Currently, about 10,000 US troops are stationed in Poland on a rotational basis that began in 2017, alongside two permanent installations designed for smaller deployments. Permanent US military bases in Europe exist in only six nations: Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, and Belgium. On Thursday, Colby faced questions regarding the troop review during a closed session of the US Senate Armed Services Committee.