Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the move as a "revolution" long awaited by the military and the public.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday, Kosiniak-Kamysz and Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk announced that the government had adopted the bill at its latest meeting, clearing the way for the legislation to move to parliament for debate.
The proposed law is designed to speed up and simplify administrative processes that currently can delay critical defence infrastructure projects by several years.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters that paperwork sometimes takes three years or more. "We’re putting an end to that," he said. "We’re simplifying the entire decision-making process."
Under the new rules, projects will be classified as either key or strategic to defence. Major projects, such as the Eastern Shield and ammunition production facilities, will receive special fast-track status.
Strategic projects, such as new military bases, airfields, storage facilities and training grounds, will be subject to streamlined approvals issued by regional governors. These single permits are expected to consolidate all necessary administrative, architectural and environmental decisions.
The Eastern Shield, cited repeatedly in the announcement, is a major government initiative to build some 800 kilometres of defensive fortifications along Poland’s eastern frontier. Officials say the bill’s provisions were designed with this large-scale project in mind.
To accelerate implementation, the bill exempts strategic defence projects from regulations governing public procurement.
The defence ministry argues this exemption will shorten the process of selecting contractors and reduce overall project timelines.
The legislation also includes the right to expropriate private property with compensation, when deemed necessary for defence purposes.
If a property falls within a designated restricted zone, such as those around military sites, the owner may request compensation or have the land purchased outright by the state. These zones could include bans on access or limits on freedom of movement.
Tomczyk criticised the current system as "simply absurd," citing six-year delays for projects such as ammunition depots due to bureaucratic hurdles.
He displayed binders containing thousands of pages of required documentation. "After the changes, this will be reduced to just a few dozen pages," he said.
The proposal also waives the need for environmental and water management permits for the most critical projects, though Tomczyk said these exemptions would be coordinated with the climate and environment ministry. He added that nature can act as a "strategic ally" by making military targets harder to approach for a potential adversary.
Tomczyk also told reporters that most military construction would take place on state-owned land and involve local Polish companies wherever possible.
Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed the importance of quickly using available European Union funds to expand Poland’s defence manufacturing capabilities, state news agency PAP reported.
"To avoid losing these funds, the industry must be able to act immediately, set up production lines and not delay for years," he said.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP