Poland needs its own military innovation agency

On September 7, 2026, Poland's Ministry of National Defense issued a decision allowing the Armed Forces to procure limited quantities of dual-use equipment, including commercial drones, through a supervised exploitation model. While this is a positive step, experts argue that Poland needs a dedicated military innovation agency similar to the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to effectively implement innovative solutions in the defense sector. Polish defense-tech startups receive significantly less venture capital compared to their German counterparts, with only about $14 million in 2025, highlighting a stark disparity in funding and support. The lack of demand signals from the Ministry of Defense hampers the growth of small innovative companies, as the procurement system favors established suppliers. The U.S. DIU's flexible contracting approach and its location in Silicon Valley have proven successful in fostering innovation, suggesting that Poland could benefit from similar reforms.