Warsaw: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to introduce large-scale military training for all adult men in Poland, citing the evolving security landscape in Europe. Speaking before the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of parliament, Tusk emphasized the need for a military force of 500,000 soldiers, including reservists.
“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, ensuring a reserve force that is truly comparable and adequate to potential threats,” Tusk stated.
The proposal comes as Poland accelerates its defense expansion. A year ago, the Polish government reported a standing military force of approximately 200,000, with a goal of reaching 220,000 in 2024 and 300,000 in the coming years. However, the Tusk administration now seeks to expedite this buildup amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions.
Poland to Adopt Swiss-Style Military Reserve Model
Following his parliamentary address, Tusk clarified that he was not advocating for a return to universal military conscription but rather a structured reserve system similar to Switzerland’s. In Switzerland, all men are required to serve in either military or civilian service, while women may volunteer.
Tusk also suggested that Poland should explore nuclear capabilities. “Poland must pursue the most advanced defense technologies, including nuclear and unconventional weapons,” he stated. His remarks come after Poland signaled potential withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits anti-personnel landmines, and the Dublin Convention, which bans cluster munitions.
Poland is not alone in reconsidering such treaties. NATO allies Finland and Lithuania have also debated leaving the Ottawa Convention in response to evolving security threats.
Opposition Backs the Military Push
Even opposition leaders have voiced support for bolstering national defense. Jarosław Kaczyński, head of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, stressed the need for a societal shift in mindset. “We must return to a chivalric ethos where men are prepared to serve as soldiers, even at great personal risk,” he remarked.
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Tusk underscored that Poland could become Russia’s next target if Ukraine were to fall. “If Ukraine loses this war or is forced into an armistice that weakens its sovereignty, Poland will inevitably find itself in a far more precarious geopolitical position,” he warned.
Poland to Boost Defense Spending in Constitutional Amendment
On the same day, Polish President Andrzej Duda proposed a constitutional amendment to mandate that Poland allocate at least 4% of its GDP annually to defense. Poland already surpasses all other NATO members, including the U.S., in defense spending, having allocated 4.1% of its GDP last year. The country aims to increase this figure to 4.7% in 2024.
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Duda emphasized that the current political climate offers a rare opportunity for bipartisan consensus on national security. “We must seize this moment to cement Poland’s long-term defense strategy,” he stated.
