Bolstering Poland's defence capabilities

The policies of our predecessors may well have jeopardised Poland's security. By 2015, more than 600 military units of the Polish Army had been disbanded. Many of these were located in the eastern part of our country. This area is now most at risk of hybrid attacks by Russia and Belarus. Almost every day, border guards see attempts to illegally cross the border there.  We are watching, and we take any provocations by Putin and Lukashenko very seriously.

Our actions ensure an increase in Poland's defence capabilities. Disbanding any further military units is out of the question. The existing units will be strengthened, and new ones will be established in areas where they are needed most.

Ensuring Poland’s security

We have increased defence spending, which already exceeds 2% of GDP. This is well above NATO's minimum requirements and makes Poland a leading NATO country in this respect. Next year, Poland’s defence spending will reach 3% of GDP. This will allow us to spend even more money on modernising the army.

The number of soldiers in the Polish Armed Forces has been steadily increasing since 2015. Our goal is to build a 300,000-strong army, including 250,000 active-duty soldiers and about 50,000 Territorial Defence Forces personnel. We have led to a major increase in the minimum wage of Polish Army soldiers. This makes military service more attractive to potential candidates.

We have increased Poland's financial capabilities. The money taken away from tax mafias and VAT criminals can now be used to improve our country’s internal and external security.

"It happened because we have this special feature. Some kind of miracle, it would seem. When we are in power, there is money, and when they are in power, there is none. All we did was to make it impossible to steal from the Polish public coffers", said Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński.

Strong White and Red — Polish Army Day celebrations

The picnic in Zawichost is one of seventy organised across Poland. The picnics will take place between 12 and 15 August 2023, with their leading theme being the slogan "Strong White and Red". The organisers will be preparing demonstrations of military equipment, concerts by military orchestras and games for the youngest participants, among other things. The picnics are part of this year's Polish Army Day celebrations.

"Once again I would like to thank the army — the officers, the colonels in charge here, all the soldiers. It seems that I am yet to take a look at these powerful fighting machines present here. For me, it is a great pleasure", said Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński.

The highlight of the celebrations will be a grand parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada Street, planned by the Ministry of Defence to commence on 15 August at 2:00 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to see both Polish- and foreign-made military equipment. This includes equipment that we have purchased for the army in recent years.

Thanks to our actions, soldiers now have modern equipment that increases Poland's defence capabilities. The event will see more than 2,000 soldiers and as many as 200 military vehicles parade along Wisłostrada Street. An aerial display by Polish pilots will be held as well.