In a decisive move to fortify national security, Poland has announced an unprecedented programme to train hundreds of thousands of its citizens, marking the largest initiative of its kind since the Second World War.
A Nation Prepares: The 'At Readiness' Initiative
Galvanised by the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, the Polish defence ministry is rolling out a voluntary training scheme named 'At Readiness'. The ambitious goal is to equip up to 400,000 civilians with essential military, medical, and cyber-resilience skills by the year 2027.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz unveiled the plan, stating, "We live in the most dangerous times since the end of World War Two." He emphasised that security begins with every individual, and all citizens, from children to retirees, are being called upon to contribute to the nation's defence.
The pilot phase for this massive undertaking begins this very month. Training will be conducted at more than 130 units across the Polish Armed Forces and Territorial Defence Forces. In a significant initial push, the minister revealed that approximately 20,000 people will undergo individual training in November and December alone, with the total number across all training forms reaching around 100,000 in this period.
Context of a Growing Military Power
This civilian drive is part of a broader, rapid military expansion. Spurred by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland now dedicates more of its GDP to defence than any other NATO member. This investment has propelled its military to become the third-largest within the alliance, boasting approximately 216,000 active personnel.
The nation plans to grow its forces by nearly a third over the next decade. According to General Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the General Staff, the new training programme has two primary objectives: to strengthen the resilience of the citizenry and to enhance the availability, readiness, and capacity of military reserves.
The initiative was first announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk in March, with the aim of "building an army of reservists" in response to heightened security concerns in Eastern Europe.
Poland's Strategic Position and Military Strength
Poland's strategic significance on NATO's eastern flank, sharing a border with Russia's ally Belarus, has catalysed its transformation into a top-tier military power. The GlobalFirepower index now ranks Poland 21st out of 145 nations worldwide.
Key statistics underscore this military build-up:
- Population: Approximately 38.7 million
- Defence Budget: $48.7 billion
- Active Military Personnel: 216,100
- Combat Aircraft: Around 427
- Navy Fleet: About 46 ships
This comprehensive approach, combining massive civilian readiness programmes with significant investment in its conventional forces, marks a historic moment for Poland as it confronts a new era of geopolitical uncertainty.
