Poland to Cede NATO Eastern Flank Defense Spending Lead to Germany by 2027

Polish defense spending as a share of GDP is projected to decline from 4.5% in 2026, losing NATO's Eastern Flank leadership to Germany, which is accelerating its military budget. This marks a reversal of Poland's recent defense buildup trajectory and a shift in the Alliance's spending dynamics, potentially affecting deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank.