Three hundred thousand soldiers. That is the minimum number Poland needs to stay secure, stated today by the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak. He made the remark during a ceremony marking Military Recruitment Centers Day. The Central Military Recruitment Center is an institution dedicated to promoting service in the Polish Army and recruiting personnel for professional and territorial duties. It was established in 2022 following the Homeland Defense Act taking effect.
Increase in army strength
Minister Błaszczak noted that the efforts of the Military Recruitment Centers have helped the Polish Army grow to 187,000 soldiers. He highlighted that since enactment of the Homeland Defense Act, nearly 50,000 personnel have completed voluntary mandatory military service.
“This is our shared achievement,” he stated.
According to him, the current year’s competition is the largest yet, with more than 4,000 participants. The final tournament of the year is set to begin in November and has already attracted over 7,000 participants. He described it as a new record.
“The Polish Army is getting stronger and larger. Reaching 300,000 soldiers is the baseline Poland must defend itself,” he said. “That objective is attainable if we stay steady and work together.”
He also addressed the idea of shrinking the armed forces, saying that proposals for a 150,000-strong force and a 30,000-strong WOT would undermine national security. “Those who advocate such changes would reduce the WOT,” he warned.
Błaszczak called reducing the size of the army a misstep and a crime against national defense. The head of the Central Military Recruitment Center, General Mirosław Bryś, spoke at the ceremony as well.
A year and a half has passed since the Homeland Defense Act became law, a statute that created local bodies under the Minister of Defense and brought notable success that must be sustained and developed, Bryś noted.
Poland’s military potential
As he explained, increasing the size of the Polish Army directly enhances the country’s military potential. This year alone, more than 70,000 people were called up for service through the Military Recruitment Centers.
He estimated that an expansion to 300,000 personnel is realistically achievable. Many doubted the plan, yet today he could affirm with certainty that the goal of enlarging the military to 300,000 is well within reach.
Despite facing challenges, including some hesitation to move quickly and efficiently, he promised that these obstacles would be overcome.