General Roman Polko offered strong criticism of the defense doctrine and the army’s fate under the PO-PSL era. He argued that the navy faced serious challenges, the Polish arms industry struggled to deliver modern equipment, and acquisition processes were too constrained. In an interview with tvp.info, the former commander of GROM described the period as one of heavy withdrawal and shortfalls in readiness.
How the army was streamlined during the PO-PSL years
Earlier this year, a PiS political ad highlighted the liquidation of military units during the PO-PSL government. In the spot, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak referenced a letter from a former Legionowo starosta, Jan Grabiec, urging the defense ministry not to liquidate the Warsaw 1st Mechanized Division named after Tadeusz Kościuszko. Błaszczak emphasized that the unit was dissolved.
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In February this year, Minister Błaszczak stated on social media that between 2008 and 2015 a total of 628 organizational units of the armed forces were liquidated.
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General Polko on the army’s past decline
The about-face in manpower numbers is clear. The former GROM commander recalled hearing ministers talk about expanding the force and modernization while the actual size of the army shrank to fewer than 100,000 soldiers. He noted that the modernization claims at the time were largely superficial and did not translate into reality.
He described the navy’s difficulties and the failure to procure modern technology for the armed forces. Garrisons were disbanded, savings were prioritized, and strategic defense planning was framed with an overly optimistic view of threats. The defense doctrine, which once envisioned a defense along the Vistula line, reflected a belief that Russia could be a partner rather than an adversary, an idea he found out of step with the geopolitical reality of the era.
When Polko took command of GROM, the unit faced a near-empty starting point. Everything had to be rebuilt from the ground up.
WOT and the perception of the Territorial Defense Forces
Polko recalled that the then-opposition criticized the creation of the Territorial Defense Forces under PiS rule. The WOT eventually demonstrated that a modern reserve-based formation could function despite early doubts. By contrast, the National Reserve Forces, built up under Klich, did not meet expectations and were seen by many as a failure.
Thousands of soldiers with combat experience who hoped to remain in service were released, partly due to a lack of available posts and structural planning, a point the general bitterly noted.
From caution to resolve in defense policy
On the Isthmus of Suwałki, Polko argued, the army was at a vulnerable edge where protection could have been strengthened. Instead, resources were reduced and troop presence diminished in that area, a move he described as signaling surrender of strategic territory. The shift raised concerns among local populations about safety and resilience in the face of evolving threats.
Today, Polko observed, Poland has moved toward practical improvements. The country has transferred post-Soviet equipment to the contemporary defense effort and is investing in cutting-edge weapons. He saw a tangible technological leap forward and noted that Poland is acquiring some of the world’s best military hardware now in service.
REFLECTING ON THE CURRENT STATE: The discussions around defense remain heated, but the emphasis has shifted toward strengthening deterrence and supporting Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. The transformation includes modernizing equipment and expanding capabilities that will serve national security interests well into the future.