Karol Nawrocki promises the largest modernisation of Poland’s armed forces in decades. His goal is an army of at least 300,000 soldiers that will keep Poland secure in uncertain times.
At today’s swearing-in ceremony, Karol Nawrocki devoted considerable time to the Polish army and the country’s security. Standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he declared that he will be an active Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, committed to the modernisation and development of the Polish military. He announced that he will “do everything to build, in the coming years, a Polish army of at least 300,000 soldiers, the strongest army in the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe”.
Nawrocki stressed that a modern army is not just about numbers, but also about cutting-edge technology and strong alliances. He pointed to the need to create a special department of breakthrough technologies and to integrate efforts to develop modern weaponry. He stated that allies only defend those who “can defend themselves”, which is why investing in the army and in Poland’s own defence capabilities is crucial.
“Poland’s security begins with every single soldier. With his equipment, his awareness, his strength of spirit and his heart. I will be the voice of Polish soldiers and Polish officers. I will support all modernisation efforts of the Polish army.”
“I will do everything to build, in the coming years, a Polish army of at least 300,000 soldiers, the strongest among NATO allies in Europe.”
“Your president will never tell you ‘forward’, I will always say ‘follow me’. I was, I am, and I will be with you.”
In another part of his address to citizens, he said:
“I will be the voice of the Polish nation, but also the voice of our army and its modernisation. It is they, our soldiers, who are the heroes of our time.”“What happened on 1 June was also a lesson in humility toward all those who would like Poland to be ruled by one authority. It is healthy for Poland, for the Republic, that the palace will have a president who speaks on behalf of the nation.”
Why 300,000 soldiers?
Newly elected President Karol Nawrocki, backed by the PiS party, has made his position clear: Poland must have the largest land army in the European Union and within NATO on our continent. In Nawrocki’s view, this is a necessity in the face of growing threats from Russia and geopolitical instability. In numerous public speeches, he has stressed that infrastructure, modernisation and the size of the army are investments in the security of future generations.
Key elements of the plan
- Expanding the army to 300,000 – both professional soldiers and soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces.
- Maintaining high defence spending – the budget is already approaching 5% of GDP, placing Poland among Europe’s leaders in military investment.
- Equipment modernisation – purchases of modern tanks, missile systems, artillery and drones, as well as support for the domestic defence industry.
As Nawrocki puts it, “we are not building a strong army to wage wars – we want no one to dare raise a hand against us”. By increasing its numbers, Poland is to become a shield for NATO on the eastern flank, which, according to the president, will deter potential aggressors.
Experts' doubts
Some experts, however, doubt whether Poland, with a population of 38 million, can sustain such an extensive force. They point to a decline in the number of volunteers, demographic challenges and the need for attractive service conditions. For comparison, the Polish army currently numbers about 187,000 soldiers. Doubling this figure within a few years will require large-scale recruitment campaigns and changes to the training system.
Nawrocki also emphasises the importance of strong alliances – above all with the USA as a guarantor of security. Poland intends to be a regional leader – not only through the size of its army, but also through technological advancement and readiness to cooperate within NATO.
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