With the formation of the last two territorial defense brigades, the process of forming the Territorial Defense Forces also ends; The change of subordination and the transition to the commands of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army is a natural course of events, said the WOT commander, Brigadier General. Krzysztof Stańczyk.
The change in the subordination of the Territorial Forces, which are currently directly subordinate to the Minister of Defense, and their inclusion in the general system of command will take place on August 14, 2024. On that day, the Territorial Forces will be subordinate to the General Staff of the Polish Army. In June, the WOTs were certified. They will soon take over responsibility from the operational forces for the protection of the airport in Rzeszów, through which aid to Ukraine passes.
A certain phase of WOT formation is coming to an end and the change of subordination is a natural course of events
– said General Stańczyk.
Certification is a kind of assessment of the skills achieved by the formation. The aim was to determine at what stage the Territorial Forces are currently, in terms of their ability to perform tasks – in accordance with the intended use of this type of forces. The results obtained during certification will certainly be used after the subordination change to improve our capabilities
– added.
18 WOT brigades
Currently, the WOT consists of 18 brigades, two training centres, the Gryf Military Unit of Unconventional Activity, the SONDA Non-commissioned Officer School and a command battalion. Among these 18 brigades are two brigades of the Border Defence Component: 19. Nadbużańska and 20. Przemyśl. This year, two light infantry battalions – in the 1st Podlasie and 4th Warmian-Masurian Defence Brigades – will be transformed into border defence battalions. Finally, from 2026, the 1st Podlasie and 2nd Lublin Brigades will be border defence brigades; in total, there will be four border defence brigades in the WOT. The task of the thus created Border Defence Component will be to defend the border areas in case of threats.
This year, with the formation of the 15th Lubusz and 17th Opole brigades, the process of forming the WOT will be completed. We will adjust our structures only if it is necessary to adapt them to new conditions
– said Stańczyk.
He also referred to the arming of the territorial defence forces with increasingly sophisticated weapons, including plans to form artillery batteries into specialised units, which will be made up to a greater extent of professional soldiers.
Support companies were created in brigades 1-6 and border defense brigades 19 and 20. We also plan to create such companies in the newly formed OT brigades: 15 and 17. In the remaining brigades, the formation of support companies is planned only after 2025.
– he said. He added that the support companies will be equipped with attack means: Javelins anti-tank weapons, Warmate loitering munitions, Piorun air defense systems and Fly Eye unmanned aerial vehicles for image reconnaissance.
From 2026-2028, we want to create artillery subunits with a 105-mm barrel in the first six brigades and two brigades of the Border Defense Component. We do not yet know whether it will be towed or self-propelled artillery. The purchase will take place as part of the Tułacz program, which provides for the modernization of artillery equipment in the Armed Forces. We also want to equip our territorial defense battalions with drones, the usefulness of which has been demonstrated by the conflict in Ukraine. The plans include the purchase of over 1,200 drones of various types
– said the WOT commander.
Soon, in accordance with the orders of our superiors, we will take over the tasks of protecting Rzeszów-Jasionka airport from the operational forces, as the units of the 18th Mechanized Division will concentrate on supporting the protection of the eastern border.
– he inquired.
Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stańczyk pointed out that for the first time the entire Armed Forces were subjected to certification in connection with the change of subordination of the Territorial Armed Forces. According to him, the certification team consisted of more than forty officers from the General Staff, the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the Support Inspectorate and many other military institutions.
The appearance of TSW soldiers (territorial military service – PAP) and professional soldiers after the alarm signal was checked. Appearance result – more than 86%. – I think it’s good. In addition to personnel, the certification included the degree of completion and efficiency of military equipment, selected elements of the mobilization base, training in WOT subunits, elements of the command system and decision-making at the WOT command post – from planning to issuing orders to subordinate military units.
– the general calculated.
In addition, the certification team analyzed the WOT’s participation in exercises and operations over the years – this approach provides a broader picture of the formation’s capabilities and readiness to operate.
– said Stańczyk, pointing, among other things, to the Anakonda-23 exercise, which tests the cooperation of the WOT with operational forces, Steadfast Defender 24 and Dragon 24. He pointed out that the forces he commands also take part in bilateral exercises with the troops of other countries, such as Adriatic Strike in Slovenia, Ridge Runner in the US or Steadfast Jupiter in Norway.
At brigade level, dozens of exercises are carried out, in cooperation with both operational forces and non-military services: the State Fire Service, the Police, the Border Guard Service, the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, the National Air Navigation Services Agency.
– added. He recalled WOT’s participation in operations Resilient Spring and Sustainable Immunity in connection with the pandemic.
“WOT is a cross-section of the entire society”
He stressed that WOTs are not a type of service like operational forces.
My soldiers are mainly employees, students, pupils; WOT is a cross-section of the entire society
– added. According to him, it is a mistake to compare WOT with operational forces, because – as he noted – “we have a completely different specificity of service and training method.”
We are constantly developing and adapting our skills. Our tasks are primarily to support the local community in crisis operations and to assist rescue services. Since 2021, we have been continuously supporting the Border Guard in border protection. Currently, more than 700 of our soldiers are carrying out tasks together with operational troops on the eastern border
– he emphasized.
Another task of WOT is to support operational forces and give them freedom of movement during a defensive operation. We are constantly training in the execution of these tasks – since the beginning of WOT, and strive to eliminate imperfections. We are aware that as a new type of armed forces we still have a lot of work ahead of us
– said the WOT commander.
Stańczyk pointed out that WOT consists mainly of volunteers.
Currently, more than 87 percent are soldiers of the Territorial Military Service (TSW). This has an impact on the process of personnel fluctuations – although this also has an added value, since soldiers who leave the armed forces for civilian life form trained reserves, of course trained to a different extent – depending on the period of their service. as TSW, but still represents a positive value in the event of threats
– he pointed out.
As he said, the process of training soldiers themselves, who are called up for training two days a month and another fourteen days a year for field training, will always be characterized by its specificity – different from the specificity of training soldiers of other countries’ branches of the armed forces.
And although many of my soldiers are military enthusiasts who combine professional work and daily life with service in the Territorial Forces, there is no justification for putting them on an equal footing with professional soldiers of operational forces. Such comparisons and hasty conclusions are often not applicable. seen in the media. We are also increasing professionalism. KOP brigades in 70 percent. should consist of 30 percent professional soldiers of territorial military service soldiers
– he said.
The WOT commander said that currently over 40,000 people are serving in the WOT. 800 soldiers and the liquidity is high.
Some of them join forces and change their life plans and place of residence. Lack of insight into the specific nature of TSW by some employers also influences the departure. An employer who gives you the choice – work or service – influences the decision to leave the WOT
– he explained. He recalled that the “WOT-Friendly Employer” program promotes a positive approach to employee services.
As he said, the WOT is the youngest type of military force that is constantly drawing conclusions from its activities, based on its own experiences.
Therefore, the need to implement the changes I have mentioned will be an ongoing process. We train to improve, and if mistakes happen, it is the natural order of things for those in the armed forces who are constantly learning what role they are supposed to play.
– said General Stańczyk.
As a separate type of armed forces, the WOT was established in early 2017. Initially, it was expected to consist of 53,000 soldiers in 17 brigades – one in each voivodeship except Mazovia, where two brigades were to operate. The laws made them directly subordinate to the head of the Ministry of National Defense, and eventually – when they were fully ready for action – to the General Staff.
tkwl/PAP
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Source: wPolityce