Poland's Government Plans Mandatory Military Training for Men

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a plan for mandatory military training for all men in Poland, aiming to bolster national defense capabilities amidst increasing regional tensions. The proposal includes increasing the overall size of the Polish army and suggests additional training for reservists.

Poland is moving towards implementing mandatory military training for all adult males, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's recent address to the Polish parliament. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to prepare the nation for potential conflicts and is set to detail a training model by the end of this year. Tusk stated, "We aim to ensure that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war," highlighting concerns over regional threats given the military prowess of neighboring nations like Ukraine and Russia.

With Ukraine maintaining an army of around 800,000 soldiers and Russia approximately 1.3 million, Tusk emphasized the importance of increasing Poland's military strength from its current size of 200,000 to a target of 500,000, including reservists. He indicated that this increase would require a multi-faceted approach involving intensive training for those not currently enlisted to become competent soldiers in times of conflict. While the focus is primarily on men, Tusk also mentioned the possibility of women participating in military training, acknowledging however that traditional roles in warfare have largely been male-dominated.

In addition to training plans, Tusk outlined ambitious defense spending goals, proposing an increase from 4.7% to 5% of Poland’s GDP this year, which would place Poland at the forefront of NATO defense expenditures. This budget is expected to accommodate extensive military enhancements, including potentially amending the constitution for obligatory defense spending levels.

Moreover, the Prime Minister expressed support for Poland's withdrawal from international treaties, such as the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits landmines, and possibly the Dublin Convention on cluster munitions, hinting at a shift in military policy to enhance operational readiness. Poland’s strategic military moves come in response to the ongoing tension in the region, particularly influenced by the conflict in Ukraine, and represent a significant step in the nation’s defense strategy.