According to BBC News, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to introduce large-scale military training for all adult men in Poland. Speaking to the Polish parliament, Tusk said the government aims to finalize the plan by the end of the year to prepare citizens for potential threats.
Poland currently has around 200,000 soldiers and reservists, but Tusk wants to expand this number to 500,000. He noted that while military training will primarily target men, women may also participate. He emphasized the need for intensive training to ensure civilians can serve as competent soldiers in times of conflict.
Poland is also considering France’s proposal to extend its nuclear protection to Europe. Tusk acknowledged that having its own nuclear weapons would improve Poland’s security, but he admitted that such a move would take a long time and require broad consensus.
The Polish government is increasing defense spending to 4.7% of its GDP this year, the highest in NATO, with a proposed increase to 5%. President Andrzej Duda has suggested making 4% defense spending a constitutional requirement.
Additionally, Tusk supports Poland withdrawing from treaties banning landmines and cluster bombs. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has boosted its military capabilities by purchasing tanks, jets, helicopters, and missiles from the US and South Korea. Growing security concerns have also led Polish businesses to invest in underground bomb shelters.
