Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to introduce large-scale military training for all adult men in Poland, a move aimed at bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities amid growing regional security concerns.
Speaking before the Polish parliament (Sejm), Tusk revealed that the government is working on finalizing the training model, with full details expected in the coming months. The initiative seeks to ensure that Poland has a well-prepared reserve force capable of responding to potential threats.
“We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats,” Tusk stated.
Expanding Poland’s Military Strength
The prime minister emphasized the urgent need to increase Poland’s military personnel, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine currently fields an army of 800,000 soldiers, while Russia boasts around 1.3 million. Poland’s current military, including reservists, numbers approximately 200,000, but Tusk aims to expand this force to 500,000.
“We’re talking about the need to have an army of half a million in Poland, including the reservists,” he said. “If we organize things wisely, using multiple courses of action—including reservist mobilization and intensive training—we can ensure a competent, combat-ready force.”
While the training initiative will primarily target men, Tusk suggested that women could also participate, though he acknowledged that “war is still, to a greater extent, the domain of men.”
Nuclear Defense Considerations
In his address, Tusk also discussed Poland’s interest in nuclear defense options, referencing France’s proposal to extend its nuclear umbrella over Europe. However, he stressed the need for clarity regarding authority over these weapons before committing to any agreements.
He further noted that Ukraine had been left vulnerable after relinquishing its nuclear arsenal, stating, “Today, it is clear that we would be safer if we had our own nuclear arsenal, that is beyond doubt. However, the road to achieving that would be very long and would require consensus.”
Increased Defense Spending and Policy Shifts
Poland has already committed to spending 4.7% of its GDP on defense in 2024, the highest percentage among NATO members. Tusk proposed raising this allocation to 5% in response to heightened security threats. Additionally, President Andrzej Duda has suggested a constitutional amendment to make defense spending at 4% of GDP a mandatory requirement.
In a further shift in military policy, the prime minister expressed support for Poland’s withdrawal from international treaties banning the use of antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions, signaling a more aggressive stance on national defense.
Major Arms Deals and Public Anxiety
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has significantly ramped up its military capabilities. The country has secured arms deals worth approximately $20 billion with the United States, including purchases of 250 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks, 32 F-35 fighter jets, 96 Apache helicopters, Javelin missiles, and artillery rocket systems. Additional contracts with South Korea will provide K2 tanks and FA-50 light combat aircraft.
Public concern over national security is rising, particularly following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine. Many Poles view support for Ukraine as crucial to their own national defense strategy.
Mirosław Kaznowski, deputy mayor of Milanówek, a small town near Warsaw, reported growing interest in personal security measures. “A friend of mine is investing in a start-up to build low-cost underground bomb shelters for businesses and homes, and demand is already high,” he told BBC News.
As Poland continues to bolster its military readiness, the coming months will reveal further details on how this ambitious training initiative will unfold, potentially reshaping the country’s defense landscape for years to come.
Source:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy83r93l208o
