In the first article in a series on the Polish economy, we look at the country’s defence boom and its implications

A short distance north from Warsaw along the Vistula river, camouflaged missile launchers roll through the quiet village of Czosnów.

As recently as two years ago, their destination – a hi-tech weapons facility opened this month – had been a cornfield. Now, as Poland drives up defence investment at one of the fastest rates in the developed world, this rural spot has been transformed amid Europe’s response to Russian aggression and US disengagement.