uawire.org
Russia warns Poland as Warsaw plans Patriot missile production
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has issued a warning to Poland after Warsaw announced plans to produce missiles for US-made Patriot air defense systems. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club on September 29, Lavrov urged Poland to "carefully study" Russia's military doctrine—comments that came amid ongoing Kremlin criticism of European support for Ukraine.
"As for this issue, we have a military doctrine that the president has cited multiple times. I urge you to carefully study the relevant section of this important document," Lavrov said during his appearance at the forum. He did not specify what retaliatory measures Moscow might take or announce any new Russian decisions. Lavrov did not clarify which provision he was referring to, nor what specific consequences Russia might link to Poland’s plans to manufacture Patriot missiles.
Lavrov’s reference to “military doctrine” comes as Russia’s current strategic policy framework centers on the document "Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence," which was approved by Vladimir Putin in November 2024. The Kremlin has previously said this document defines military risks and the circumstances under which Russia would consider using nuclear weapons. Lavrov made his comments as Poland pursues efforts to strengthen its national security and the security of NATO’s eastern flank .
Poland and the US have been discussing the possibility of producing Patriot missile system components in Poland for several months. In July, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said Warsaw had proposed a trilateral cooperation model with the US and Ukraine. She explained that relocating the missile production project—which had also been discussed as a possibility for Ukraine—to Poland would provide a safer location.
"We proposed that this cooperation take place as a trilateral partnership—the US, Ukraine, and Poland—precisely to ensure that production can be carried out in a safe place," Sobkowiak-Czarnecka told reporters during a briefing in Washington on July 23, 2026, according to Polish news agency PAP.
By August, Polish officials said talks with Washington had moved beyond preliminary evaluations. In an interview with Polish radio TOK FM on August 18, 2026, Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said the US could reach a decision within one to two months. Poland has been competing with Germany for this project.
In September, Warsaw expanded its pitch beyond production, discussing the establishment of a maintenance and service center for PAC-3 Patriot missiles in Poland. During negotiations in the US from September 23 to 25, a Polish delegation talked with American counterparts about creating such a center, developing joint production, and future deliveries. The Polish Ministry of National Defense confirmed these discussions.
Poland already manufactures Patriot system components
Poland is not new to the Patriot program, as it already has domestic production capabilities connected to it. State defense group PGZ and its subsidiaries are involved in the Wisla program—Poland’s effort to develop air and missile defense based on the Patriot system. For example, Poland already produces M903 launchers. In 2024, Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola signed an agreement with Raytheon Polska to manufacture 48 such launchers.
Additionally, in September 2026, Polish firm WZE signed deals with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to produce components for the PAC-3 MSE interceptor and the LTAMDS radar. The first Polish-made PAC-3 MSE components are expected to be delivered to the US in 2027, Polish outlet Defensehere reported on September 10.
Warsaw’s latest proposal aims to expand Poland’s role further, including the potential production of the interceptor missiles themselves, rather than building the entire Patriot infrastructure from scratch.
Patriot is one of the most important Western air and missile defense systems used by Ukraine to defend cities and critical infrastructure from Russian missile attacks, especially ballistic missiles. However, the supply of interceptor missiles remains limited.
On September 25, Reuters reported that Patriot inventories in the US and among allied countries remain constrained, due to high demand not only from the war in Ukraine but also other conflicts. In response, the US and European countries are discussing ways to ramp up production of air defense missiles. Germany has also sought the capability to produce Patriot interceptors in Europe.
Poland is preparing a new batch of Patriot missiles for Ukraine to help defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. Authorities in Warsaw have indicated that the shipment will be small and have not disclosed precise figures. Germany has also said it is willing to share some of its limited missile stocks with Ukraine.
