Armed Forces
East Front News #29: Trump's return; New Abrams for Poland

East Front News is a weekly newsletter summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please sign up by clicking .
Trump's return - what does this mean for Ukraine?
20 January 2025 saw the swearing-in of the 45th US president. Donald Trump’s return to the White House raises natural implications for Ukraine, which has been preparing for a change in American head of state since last November. Trump’s inauguration has been described by Volodymyr Zelensky as a change and a hope that can lead to a long-lasting and just peace. Ukraine has, in recent months, displayed a stance in which it was prepared to give up its full territorial integrity and not include security guarantees for occupied territories in the event of Kyiv’s accession to NATO. Such an action by Zelensky was prompted by a desire to present Ukraine as a constructive actor which, unlike the Russian Federation, does not block peace preliminaries.
Zelensky may continue to present Trump with the Victory Plan presented in 2024. Given the transactional nature of the 45th US president’s international policy, points such as the participation of US companies in Ukraine’s strategic resource extraction sector or the replacement of US troops stationed in Europe with Ukrainian ones may positively influence Kyiv’s bilateral talks with Washington.
A gesture from the Trump administration would be to use $3.8 billion from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) mechanism, which was still adopted by Joe Biden. Such an action would enable US support for Kyiv for the coming months and the continuation of frontline operations to Ukraine.
Lithuania increases defence spending to GDP 5%
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence has announced that it intends to increase its spending to a minimum of 5% of GDP. This is more than any other country in the Alliance spends. However, Vilnius considers this step necessary.
’A historic decision in Lithuania. The country has committed to increase defence spending to 5-6% of GDP, becoming a world leader in military investment. Between 2026 and 2030, this funding will strengthen operational capabilities and enable the faster creation of a national division« - communicated the ministry via X.
Development of Polish-Swedish cooperation
On 20 January, a bilateral meeting took place in Berga between Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and his Swedish counterpart, Pål Jonson. Among the topics discussed were; the Baltic Sentry initiative, security cooperation, the co-operation of aid activities for Ukraine and the exchange of experience in border protection and civil defence. The meeting was also to be of particular importance for the arms industries of both countries (Polish representatives were present at the meeting).
The head of the Polish defence ministry pointed out that the European Union needs €100 billion in its future budget for the arms industry. During the press briefing, the subject of joint security in the Baltic Sea and countering acts of sabotage, which have recently increased, was raised. The Deputy Prime Minister also touched on the Polish Navy, informing specifically on submarines. Among the seven offers is one from Stockholm. Sweden, as a new member of NATO and a country located in the Baltic Sea region, is an ideal defence partner for Warsaw. This cooperation has considerable potential to increase security on the waters of the eastern flank and reduce all types of threats from the Russian Federation.
Lt. Gen. Parylak: We are ready to carry out tasks in the event of war
Lt. Gen. Dariusz Parylak was on a working visit to Latvia on January 13, 2025, which was part of his familiarization with the area of responsibility of the Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin. At the Ādaži base, Jacek Raubo (Defence24) had the opportunity to talk to Lt. Gen. Parylak, asking about the role of the Corps on NATO’s eastern flank but also the challenges it faces in the current international reality
Newest Abrams Tanks Delivered to Poland
The latest version of the US M1A2 Abrams Sep v.3 tanks has arrived in Poland.Twenty-eight tanks were unloaded at the port in Gdynia.
The delivery of the latest tanks, which will soon be in the armament of the Polish Armed Forces, was announced on the X portal by the head of the Ministry of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The 28 tanks, or two companies, arrived in Poland from the United States on board a ship and were offloaded in Gdynia.
WB Group Increases Cooperation with Lukasiewicz Research Network
The WB Group’s agreement with the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Organic Industry concerns mutual support in ongoing projects and joint participation in new ventures. Their aim will be to develop innovative technologies and solutions.
The Institute’s activities include work related to the manufacture of high explosives, detonation initiation and transfer systems and solid rocket fuel charges. The agreement regulates and describes the methods of cooperation in research and development, analysis and expertise, as well as the use of technical and organisational potential. The cooperation between WB Group and Łukasiewicz - IPO is to involve mutual support in ongoing projects and joint participation in new ventures aimed at developing technologies and solutions to increase the partners« technological and production potential. The agreement is to enable a dynamic and flexible approach in the course of ongoing projects, tailored to actual expectations and needs.
Baobab Minelayer to Get Tracks: Consultations Begin
The recently introduced Baobab-K Scattered Minelaying Vehicle will soon have a tracked counterpart. The Armament Agency has announced the launch of consultations on the matter.
On 20th January, the Armament Agency revealed plans to conduct preliminary market consultations regarding the acquisition of a tracked, armored scattered minelaying vehicle (TMN) for the Polish Armed Forces. Mines will be deployed via six launchers mounted on the chassis, each containing 20 mine cassettes. Every cassette will hold five MN-123 anti-tank mines, produced at the Belma plant in Bydgoszcz. The total mine capacity will reach 600 units, matching the capacity of the Baobab-K system, which is based on the Jelcz P882.53 truck chassis.
MG Albinus: Many flags in one mission are a signal of NATO unity
At the Ādaži base in Latvia, Jacek Raubo (Defence24) had the opportunity to talk to Major General Jette Albinus (Danish Armed Forces). The General is currently the commander of one of the most critical elements of deterrence and defense on NATO’s eastern flank, namely the Multinational Division North. Thus, during the short interview for Defence24, there was no shortage of questions about the mission fulfilled by the Multinational Division North in the current security environment of the Baltic states.
Guided ammunition for Homar and Langusta
During the International Artillery Conference, a 122mm calibre guided rocket project conducted at the Warsaw University of Technology was presented. In the future, this solution may be used in the WR-40 Langusta, Homar-K and Homar-A launchers.
The Polish Army uses 75 multi-track WR-40 Langusta rocket launchers and a number of Soviet BM-21 Grad and Czechoslovak RM-70/85 rocket launchers. The latter two will be completely replaced in a few years« time by the much more modern Homary-K and Homary-A. According to the Ministry of Defence’s plans, the two aforementioned systems are to be integrated with the Polish 122mm calibre Feniks-Z ammunition. This family of munitions will thus be used in the Polish Army for many decades, which creates a reason for its modernisation. This was the proposal presented by the Warsaw University of Technology during the International Artillery Conference.
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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.
Aleksander Olech, PhD & Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief, Michał Górski