At a Warsaw conference, Law and Justice president Jarosław Kaczyński stated that during his party’s governance a major effort was undertaken to grow the Polish armed forces. He credited then-Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak with taking the initiative and carrying out the plan despite opposition hurdles, adding that Poland must maintain the strongest military in Europe.
To mark the 25th anniversary of Poland joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Law and Justice hosted a conference featuring party leader Jarosław Kaczyński and Mariusz Błaszczak, the party’s parliamentary club chairman. The discussion highlighted the PiS government’s role in strengthening the Polish military.
Poland in NATO
Kaczyński began by noting that Poland overcame what he described as resistance in Western Europe and in the United States. He argued that this region had once been treated as a gray zone, with only limited guarantees for security.
He recalled that the 1999 era included certain barriers within the Alliance, and that the relationship between NATO and Russia had constrained activities in this part of Europe, limiting stationing and the deployment of weapons deemed inappropriate for the area.
According to him, NATO membership was aimed at improving security in this region and turning long-standing restrictions into a fuller partnership within the Alliance.
He mentioned the 2016 NATO summit held in Warsaw as a turning point that shifted the approach toward a stable presence of forces on Polish soil, though at the time the arrangement was designed to be rotating rather than permanent.
Kaczyński emphasized that the efforts by the PiS government to align constitutional frameworks with security goals did not erase the underlying rules, but they reinforced the purpose of leveraging American troop presence in Poland when appropriate.
Expansion of the Polish army
The conference also highlighted the large-scale expansion of the Polish armed forces since PiS came to power. He challenged the belief that NATO membership alone guaranteed security, arguing that active measures were necessary to strengthen the military and prevent gradual decline.
Kaczyński noted that the army’s size had previously been below 100,000 personnel, with police forces outnumbering troops in some periods. He pointed to the decision to raise military spending and launch major weapons programs as essential steps.
According to the discussion, Poland now leads NATO defense spending relative to GDP. It was recalled that the army size rose from about 95,000 in 2015 to roughly 195,000 in 2023, with the creation of the Territorial Forces, the Cyber Forces, the 18th Mechanized Division and the 1st Legionary Infantry Division during that timeframe.
Kaczyński insisted that a vast effort had been made to expand the Polish army. He credited Mariusz Błaszczak with taking charge and making it happen, even in the face of strong opposition and claims that the plan could not be implemented. He affirmed the goal of building the strongest military in Europe and indicated a continued path toward robust ground forces, complemented by advanced missile and air defense capabilities.
He asserted the principle that deterrence requires capabilities developed from within, and noted that an understanding of long-term resistance is a key factor in preventing war from breaking out.
In his words, peace is best preserved when preparation for conflict is evident and credible.
Reinforcement of the Polish army
In his remarks, the parliamentary club chair underlined the current strength of the Polish army, reaching close to two hundred thousand personnel. He recalled that in 2015 there were about 95,000 soldiers, and that modernization included significant equipment upgrades developed in partnership with allied nations, notably the United States. The deployment of HIMARS launchers, Abrams tanks, and Patriot systems were cited as elements that today help guard Polish skies and deter potential aggressors.
There was reference to collaboration with Korean defense industries as well, noting rapid progress in equipping the Polish forces with K-2 tanks, K-9 howitzers, and Chunmoo missiles with ranges up to 300 kilometers. The arrival of FA-50 aircraft—developed by a Lockheed Martin team that also produces F-16 and F-35 jets—was flagged as a milestone. The year ahead was anticipated to bring Polish F-35 aircraft as part of ongoing modernization efforts.
The discussion showcased a clear narrative: a stronger, more capable Polish army with improved air and missile defenses, supported by international cooperation and a sustained defense industrial base. This path reflects a strategic vision to ensure the country’s security and its role within NATO, while balancing constitutional and political considerations.
Source for context: wPolityce. Attribution is provided for contextual understanding of policy developments and defense investments. (attribution: wPolityce)