International

Polish Military Expands to 220,000 Troops in 2024

Poland announced plans to expand its armed forces to 220,000 personnel by the end of 2024, citing regional security concerns, BBC quoted Polsat News.

notesfrompoland.com
Sursa: notesfrompoland.com

Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak confirmed the increase on state television, stating, "This decision strengthens our response to current threats."

The expansion encompasses both professional soldiers and the Territorial Defense Force, a citizen militia. Minister Błaszczak emphasised the role of the reserves, noting, "We have a large potential in our trained reserve force, ready to be activated in case of immediate danger."

Currently, the Polish military stands at approximately 200,000 personnel, including 148,000 professional soldiers. This planned increase aligns with the government's commitment to heightened defence spending. The 2024 budget, approved by President Andrzej Duda, allocates 3.1% of GDP to defence, amounting to $29.4 billion.

This move reflects broader trends within NATO, where member states like Germany and Lithuania have also pledged significant increases in military spending and troop numbers. Heightened tensions with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine drive these advancements in regional security measures.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

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