Today Poland has been facing 1 of the most crucial debates on its own safety for decades. The head of the Chancellery of the president of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Bogucki, announced that plans for the number of armed forces should be radically increased.
The government's current target, or 300,000 troops by 2035, may be insufficient in the face of a deteriorating geopolitical situation. Bogacki believes that a real and essential mark should be half a million soldiers.
“In the end, we can most likely have half a million soldiers. This will most likely be the needs, looking at how unfortunately the situation is dynamically and badly developing in Russia."
This, according to him, is not only a military necessity, but besides a strategical decision resulting from a fresh reality of safety in Europe.
“If we don’t realize this, we can wake up in a very uninteresting reality in any time, and no of us would want that.”
Increasing the number of soldiers to half a million is simply a immense challenge, not only logistical, but above all financial. Bogacki notes that safety must be a precedence of the state.
"Safety is absolutely the foundation. Defence spending becomes a large necessity and a major priority."
In his opinion, Poland needs to rethink this issue comprehensively, starting with the strategy of public finances and innovative economy.
"This is simply a question of sealing the taxation system, this is simply a question of developing fresh technologies. This is simply a strategy of connected vessels. To build a strong army, you request a strong economy. For this economy to be strong, it must be innovative.”
Current plans to upgrade the army include purchases of modern equipment: Abrams tanks and K2, Haubice K9, Patriot systems. These are elements of the strategy of deterring and strengthening the east flank of NATO. However, Bogacki argues that these plans request to be scaled against changing risks. In his opinion, the dynamics of the situation in the east, the aggressive policy of Russia and the provocations towards neighbours require a decisive response.
"If Polish aircraft and allied ships are being hit on, then there is simply a real threat. There is no margin to underestimate anything.”
The words of Bogucki are supported in the statements of president Karol Nawrocki, who besides spoke in August of the request to further increase the army's numbers. He has announced his readiness to build a half-million-dollar army, if you are ready. This shows that the chief of Chancellery's proposals are not isolated, but are part of a broader presidential strategy.
However, questions arise about the real possibilities of implementing specified an ambitious plan. Maintaining half a million soldiers means not only higher salaries, but besides immense expenditure on infrastructure, logistics, training, equipment purchases and its maintenance. Experts point out that even with GDP growth, achieving this number of soldiers requires years of planning and political consequences. It besides requires the social approval and commitment of the full country.
Bogacki does not avoid these issues. It argues that improvement of the financial strategy and economical innovation will be key.
“We truly request to rethink this issue today, due to the fact that safety is absolutely the foundation.”
The Minister's statements are not just a political comment, but an effort to give a fresh direction to public debate on national security. Poland – in his opinion – can no longer operate according to the current schemes. The threats are real, and the time to prepare may end sooner than it seems.
The construction of a half-million-dollar army is an era task that requires not only money, but besides determination and a coherent vision. Bogacki does not beat around the bush – you gotta act here and now.
“If we do not realize this... then we can wake up in a truly uninteresting reality.”
