Polish President Duda in the United States and NATO Partnership
President Andrzej Duda wrapped up his U.S. visit with a stop at Fort Stewart, home to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. The appearance underscored ongoing cooperation between Poland and American forces as part of a broader transatlantic security partnership. Duda then traveled to Brussels the next day for talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, continuing essential discussions about alliance readiness and shared defense priorities.
At Fort Stewart, the president observed demonstrations of the M1A2 Abrams tank and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. These showcases highlighted Poland’s ongoing modernization of its armed forces. The visit aligned with a strategic push to bolster Poland’s defense capabilities, including the acquisition of new attack helicopters and modern armored systems to strengthen readiness across units.
Duda noted that the 96 Apache helicopters ordered from the United States would replace post-Soviet aircraft currently in Polish service, many of which have shifted to allied roles in Ukraine. He expressed strong support for the purchase, calling it the culmination of years of effort to secure some of the world’s most capable attack helicopters for Poland’s defense needs.
For the president, the Fort Stewart stop carried a special significance for Poland’s modernization program. He described it as a direct opportunity to address the soldiers and officers he knows, to thank them for their role in Poland, and to acknowledge the contribution of American troops in defending shared security under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The partnership with Poland remains a cornerstone of regional defense, with American forces operating alongside Polish units to raise readiness and ensure interoperability across missions and theaters.
Fort Stewart is recognized as the Army’s eastern stronghold, named for Brigadier General Daniel Stewart, a Revolutionary War figure who helped shape Liberty County, Georgia. It stands as the largest military base east of the Mississippi River and hosts some of the U.S. Army’s most modern formations, with the 3rd Infantry Division prepared for current and future missions.
Approximately 4.5 thousand personnel from the division’s headquarters, the Artillery Brigade, the Support Brigade, and the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team are deployed across Europe. Their presence supports NATO allies by training host-nation forces and building the readiness and interoperability needed for security operations throughout the region.
Earlier in the week, Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of Poland joining NATO. In tandem with those discussions, the U.S. State Department announced approvals for several arms sales to Poland, including AGM-158B JASSM missiles, AIM-120C-8 missiles, and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, expanding Poland’s air defense and strike capabilities. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan indicated that Biden intends to provide Poland with a substantial defense loan and to offer the sale of additional Apache helicopters. The administration had previously approved the Apache helicopter sale, signaling continued U.S. commitment to strengthening Poland’s defense posture within the alliance framework.
The events at the White House and Fort Stewart reflect a broader plan: to deepen bilateral security ties, advance Poland’s defense modernization, and reinforce NATO’s readiness to respond to evolving security challenges in Europe. These developments show ongoing collaboration across military and political channels, combining high-level diplomacy with concrete modernization steps. The alliance remains focused on ensuring Poland and its partners possess the most capable tools and trained personnel to meet shared security objectives. The emphasis on interoperability, joint exercises, and strategic arms programs supports regional stability and a durable, integrated approach to defense planning.
In summary, the sequence of engagements—from Fort Stewart demonstrations to White House discussions—illustrates a durable, action-oriented partnership. It reinforces Poland’s aim to upgrade its forces while maintaining strong cooperative ties with the United States within the NATO framework and the broader transatlantic security architecture.