Polish Territorial Defense Forces reach a milestone of 36 thousand personnel
The Territorial Defense Forces have grown to 36,000 soldiers. These units are committed to supporting local communities, assisting during natural disasters, and they also help safeguard border security together with operational forces. This update was shared by Mariusz Błaszczak, the Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense, on social media.
Further details surfaced in related reports, including statements on the need for modern equipment for the army and the principle that Poland cannot count on others to defend itself in times of conflict. There was also mention of conscription for military exercises and the question of how this might affect different political groups, with a stance that training should be available to anyone who wants it.
After reaching the cap of 36,000 WOT soldiers, the defense minister confirmed the figure in a post on X, highlighting the persistent momentum behind the Territorial Defense Forces.
The formation commander noted that additional volunteers joined the WOT over the weekend. The ongoing rise in interest in service within the ranks demonstrates the perceived need for a broader, locally rooted defense capability. For more than five years, WOT personnel have been trained in their home communities while contributing to nationwide security, the spokesman explained.
In another point, the WOT communications team cited recent polling data showing a large portion of adult Poles view Territorial Defense as a key community asset. The spokesman also pointed to the role of Territorial Defense in anti crisis operations such as Friendly Energy and anti covid actions, as well as its support for other services in operations at the Belarusian border and in assistance related to Ukraine. These activities have reportedly strengthened public confidence in the force.
The expansion of existing brigades, the creation of new units, and the broadened scope of activities including responsibility for non military crisis management tasks within the Ministry of National Defense all contribute to a stronger defense posture. The overall trajectory indicates growth and diversification of capabilities across the Territorial Defense Forces, enhancing their ability to protect communities and support national security goals.
The WOT was established as a separate arm in 2017. Its mission centers on defending and aiding local communities, including support for rescue services during natural disasters. While it operates alongside regular military units, the WOT also assists operational troops when needed. The Defense of the Homeland Act assigns the non military part of crisis management duties to the WOT within the Ministry of National Defense. The target for the force remains a total of 50,000 personnel in the future. Until fully ready for independent action, WOT units remain under the authority of the Minister of National Defense and will ultimately report to the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.
Reported by a news agency and attributed to the cited sources, the information reflects ongoing developments in Poland’s territorial defense framework.
Source tracking indicates the reporting outlet used for these updates was wPolityce.