Poland has ruled out sending its Patriot air-defense systems to the Middle East, despite speculation that Gulf nations could use them to counter potential Iranian strikes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that, with Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, safeguarding Poland’s own airspace remains the country’s top priority.
In a March 31 social media statement, he stressed that the Patriot batteries are dedicated to protecting Poland and reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank, adding that there are no plans to relocate them. He also noted that allied nations understand the importance of Poland’s current security responsibilities.
Poland first agreed in March 2018 to acquire two Configuration 3+ Patriot batteries in a deal worth about $4.75 billion. The program expanded in May 2022, when Warsaw requested an additional six systems from the United States. By December 2025, the initial two batteries had reached full operational capability.
The minister’s remarks came after reports that the U.S. had informally explored the possibility of deploying one of Poland’s Patriot systems to the Middle East. According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Washington had also inquired whether Poland could provide PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles from its stockpiles to support regional allies facing increased pressure from Iranian attacks.
During a press briefing on March 31, government spokesperson Adam Szłapka reiterated that the systems are intended for Poland’s defense, declining to confirm whether such a request had been made by the U.S.
Several Gulf countries currently operate Patriot systems, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
