Defence Matters editor Gary Cartwright interviewed Mehmet  Göktürk İplikçioğlu, CEO of TEOMAN  Corp., Representative of the Polish Chamber of National Defence Manufacturers, during a recent visit to Brussels.

G.C.: How do you see Poland’s place in the current European security architecture?

M.G.I.: Poland occupies a pivotal position on Europe’s eastern security flank. It is a frontline NATO state, a logistical hub for support to Ukraine, and a bridge between Western Europe and the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

When policymakers discuss deterrence, reinforcement and resilience, Poland naturally emerges as one of the central reference points because of its geography, infrastructure and growing military potential.

A Poland that is both militarily strong and industrially capable does not only protect its own territory; it effectively underwrites the security of the broader European project.

In this sense, Poland is evolving from a “consumer” of security into a key “provider” within the Euro-Atlantic system, and its defence industrial base is an essential part of that transformation.

G.C.: Why is it so important for Poland to build a well-functioning defence industrial supply chain, instead of relying mainly on imports?

M.G.I.: Modern defence policy is no longer limited to the procurement of finished systems; it is fundamentally about sustaining, repairing, adapting and replenishing those systems under crisis conditions. A robust Polish supply chain – spanning raw materials, components, electronics, software, maintenance, logistics and training – ensures that the armed forces can remain operational over time, even in a prolonged, high-intensity conflict.

Furthermore, a well-structured supply chain keeps defence expenditure circulating within the Polish and European economy. It supports local SMEs, high-tech start-ups, research institutions and a skilled industrial workforce. In practice, this turns defence spending into a driver of innovation, technological upgrading and long-term employment, rather than primarily a transfer of public funds to foreign producers.

G.C.: What does “independent defence production” mean in this context, and why is it strategically important for Poland?

M.G.I.: Independence should not be confused with autarky. In the Polish context, independent defence production means having assured access to key capabilities under national and allied control, even when international supply chains are disrupted or political conditions become less favourable. It is about being able to produce and sustain critical systems – such as ammunition, armoured platforms, artillery, selected air-defence elements and secure communications – without being fully exposed to the export policies or industrial bottlenecks of other states.

Strategically, this enhances Poland’s freedom of action in a crisis, strengthens its credibility in NATO burden-sharing, and gives Warsaw a more influential voice in European defence debates. In the longer term, a Polish industrial pillar increases Europe’s ability to cope with long wars, high consumption of matériel and contested logistics, all of which are increasingly realistic planning scenarios.

G.C.: How does a strong Polish defence industry contribute to European security more broadly?

M.G.I.: Europe currently faces a structural gap between its declared security ambitions and its defence industrial capacity. A strong Polish defence industry is one of the most effective ways to narrow that gap. It adds production lines precisely where Europe has acute needs: artillery systems, ammunition, armoured vehicles, air-defence components, C4ISR capabilities and the associated logistics and maintenance infrastructure.

When Polish plants can rapidly increase output, they relieve pressure on Western European factories that are already working at or near capacity. At the same time, Polish production encourages greater standardization of equipment on NATO’s eastern flank, which simplifies logistics, maintenance and interoperability in operational theatres. In this sense, Poland’s industrial strength is not a national prestige project; it is a functional building block of Europe’s deterrence and defence posture.

G.C.: What are the key elements Poland needs to get right to build this kind of supply chain?

M.G.I.: Four elements are particularly important.

1. Long-term planning and contracts: Industry invests in additional capacity, automation and human capital when it can rely on predictable demand. Multi-year procurement frameworks and clear capability roadmaps are therefore essential to reduce uncertainty.
2. Integration of SMEs and innovators: Large state-owned and private prime contractors should systematically integrate smaller, innovative firms into their value chains, especially in software, AI, sensors, cyber and advanced materials. This prevents technological stagnation and encourages competition within the ecosystem.
3. Skills and workforce development: Poland needs a stable pipeline of engineers, technicians and digital specialists. Presenting defence as a technologically advanced, future-oriented sector is critical for attracting young talent and preventing brain drain.
4. Smart international partnerships: Not every technology must be developed domestically. Joint ventures, licensed production and co-development with trusted partners can accelerate capacity-building, reduce costs and support interoperability within NATO and the EU.

Together, these elements form the backbone of a resilient and adaptive supply chain.

G.C.: Where do you see international cooperation fitting into Poland’s industrial ambitions?

M.G.I.: International cooperation functions as a multiplier for national efforts. Poland already cooperates with several European and transatlantic partners and should deepen these relationships where they bring clear added value in terms of technology, scale and operational experience.

In research and development in particular, collaboration with states that have complementary strengths is especially valuable. Cooperation with Türkiye, for example, in fields such as unmanned systems, electronics, software and smart munitions could be advantageous for Poland. Both countries combine strong engineering communities with practical operational experience and a willingness to innovate quickly, which is precisely what modern defence projects require.

G.C.: You mentioned the economic side of defence. Why is it important for Poland to think beyond immediate national needs when building this industrial base?

M.G.I.: Defence production is inherently capital-intensive. Factories, testing infrastructure, R&D programmes and specialized personnel all require substantial and sustained investment. To keep unit costs manageable and maintain a high level of innovation, producers need continuity of demand and a broader perspective than short-term replacement of equipment.

Thinking beyond immediate national needs means designing capabilities that are interoperable with allies, scalable over time and technologically open to further upgrades. This broader perspective makes it easier to build stable industrial ecosystems, attract private investment, and ensure that public money spent on defence contributes to technological development and industrial modernization, not just to one-off acquisitions.

G.C.: Looking ahead to the future, what is your vision for Poland’s role in European security if it succeeds in building this industrial base?

M.G.I.: If Poland continues on its current trajectory and successfully consolidates a strong defence industrial base, it is likely to emerge as one of the principal industrial and operational anchors of European security. We would see a country that not only fields capable national forces, but also provides key capabilities to its neighbours, contributes substantially to NATO stockpiles and actively shapes the technological agenda in areas such as land systems, air defence and artillery.

In such a future, Europe becomes less dependent on extra-European suppliers, more resilient in prolonged crises and better able to sustain its commitments along the eastern flank and in its wider neighbourhood. A robust, technologically advanced Polish defence industry would then be understood not as a marginal story, but as a core component of a more credible, strategically autonomous and capable Europe.