Poland is moving forward with plans to make military training mandatory for all men in the country, Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed during a speech to the Polish parliament. Tusk stated that the government is working on a comprehensive plan, with more details expected in the coming months. The initiative aims to prepare a large-scale training program for every adult male in Poland, ensuring the country is adequately prepared for any 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,” Tusk told the Sejm, emphasizing the need for a reserve force capable of responding to any military conflict. He added that the reserve force should be comparable to the country’s military needs and potential threats.
Tusk highlighted the current size of Poland’s military and the need for expansion. He noted that Ukraine’s army consists of 800,000 soldiers, while Russia has around 1.3 million troops. In contrast, Poland’s army, including reservists, currently numbers about 200,000. Tusk aims to increase Poland’s military size to 500,000, including a robust reserve force.
“We’re talking about the need to have an army of half a million in Poland,” Tusk said. “This will require multiple actions, including extensive training for those who do not go into the army, ensuring they are competent soldiers in case of conflict.”
While women may also be included in the military training program, Tusk acknowledged that war has traditionally been more of a “domain of men.” He emphasized that the goal is to ensure Poland’s readiness in the event of a conflict, particularly in light of rising security concerns in Europe.
Poland is already among the top NATO spenders on defense, allocating 4.7% of its GDP to military expenses this year. Tusk stated that defense spending should rise to 5% of GDP to further strengthen the country’s security.
Earlier, President Andrzej Duda proposed amending the Polish constitution to make defense spending of 4% of GDP mandatory. Poland’s defense budget has surged since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the country has signed arms deals worth $20 billion with the United States. These contracts include the purchase of battle tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, missiles, and other military equipment. Additionally, Poland has also secured contracts with South Korea for tanks and light combat aircraft.
Amid growing concerns about national security, there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for protective measures. Mirosław Kaznowski, deputy mayor of Milanówek, a town near Warsaw, recently told BBC News that his friend had launched a start-up to build low-cost underground bomb shelters, a venture receiving increasing interest in the area. Many Poles believe that supporting Ukraine’s defense is integral to their own security, especially following concerns about potential reductions in military supplies to Ukraine.
