Polish General Warns of Inevitable War, Calls for Larger Army

In a recent address to the University of Land Forces in Wroclaw, General Wieslaw Kukula, Poland's armed forces chief of staff, expressed concerns about the country's military preparedness. The general's remarks, reported by the state news agency PAP, underscored the urgency of bolstering Poland's defense capabilities in light of perceived threats.

General Kukula emphasized the likelihood of armed conflict for the current generation, stating, "We are the generation that will stand up in arms to defend our country." This assertion reflects growing tensions in the region, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Poland, a NATO member since 1999, has been actively modernizing its military and increasing its defense expenditure. The country's strategic location between Eastern and Western Europe has historically made it vulnerable to conflicts, as evidenced by its partitions in the 18th century and its role during the Cold War as a Warsaw Pact member.

The general highlighted the need for a significantly larger army to counter potential adversaries. However, he acknowledged that demographic challenges could impede recruitment efforts. To address this issue, Kukula suggested the implementation of a general service model, which could involve mandatory military training and service.

Poland's military has undergone substantial changes in recent years. The establishment of the Polish Territorial Defence Force in 2017 and the country's participation in various NATO and UN peacekeeping missions demonstrate its commitment to national and international security. Additionally, Poland has been investing in cyber defense capabilities and developing its own military equipment, such as the PL-01 stealth tank.

By the end of 2024, Poland's army is projected to reach over 207,500 soldiers, making it the third-largest in NATO in terms of personnel, after the United States and Turkey. This growth aligns with Poland's defense strategy, which emphasizes deterrence and collective defense within the NATO framework.

Poland's support for Ukraine and its advocacy for increased NATO presence in Eastern Europe have contributed to deteriorating relations with Russia and its ally, Belarus. The country has been strengthening its eastern border defenses since 2021 and hosts U.S. troops as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence.

General Kukula's call for preparedness echoes his July 2024 statement urging Poland to ready its forces for full-scale conflict. As the country continues to navigate complex regional dynamics, its military modernization efforts, including the purchase of F-35 fighter jets and the development of indigenous defense technologies, remain crucial to its national security strategy.

"We will win it, we will come back and we will continue to build Poland, but something has to happen. We have to build armed forces prepared for this type of action."

As Poland faces these challenges, it draws upon a rich military history, including the legacy of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, once one of Europe's most powerful states. The country's current efforts to balance demographic constraints with defense needs will likely shape its military policy in the coming years, as it strives to maintain a strong deterrent in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.