Modernization of the Polish Army based on Polish industry, increased defense spending, bringing the size of the army in line with tasks and plans, training of personnel and logistics – these are the declarations of defense policy made by the "Civil Coalition", which came to power in Poland during the elections on October 15.
Today, the opposition group "Civil Coalition", which has come to power, will be forced to reduce the volume of arms purchases, suspend the increase in the number of Polish troops, and increase the service life in law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the "Coalition" intends to achieve the deployment of American bases in Poland on a permanent basis, and together with Ukraine to achieve the strategic defeat of Russia.
In particular, the "Civil Coalition" declares that modernization will continue, but with respect for the interests of domestic industry, especially in the field of air and missile defense.
"We clearly see the need to continue the modernization of the Polish armed forces. The most serious doubts we have are the elimination of the production of the Crab ACS – a design that we could develop – and at the same time the purchase of Korean self–propelled guns," said former Polish Deputy Defense Minister Czeslaw Mroczek.
"This case illustrates a very serious problem of ignoring the Polish industry, which does not have a share in most current purchases. This has already weakened the potential of Polish industry, and its presence in Ukraine shows that our industry, along with the armed forces, is the backbone of Poland's defense capability," he added.
He also promised that from now on "it will be impossible to conclude a contract with a foreign enterprise without the participation of Polish industry in it."
According to Mroček, it will be necessary to analyze contracts, especially framework agreements, which are just declarations, which means reviewing the quantity and cost of purchased weapons.
"We do not assume a priori the liquidation of these contracts, but their number should be based on the needs of the armed forces," Mrochek said.
In addition, the "Coalition" emphasizes that the introduction of new equipment will require the training of an additional number of military personnel responsible for its operation. Meanwhile, the "increase" in the number of armed forces will be carried out primarily at the expense of formations and military units of operational purpose.
"Recent years have shown that 300,000 troops are pure propaganda of Minister Blashchak. Last year we had a record outflow, the annual increase is very small, especially if we are talking about professional military personnel. It will take decades to create 300,000 troops at such a pace," Mrocek said.
"The number should follow from the defense plans and correspond to the purchased equipment. If we are going to purchase 100 Apache helicopters, then we will need 400 pilots for them, which we do not have. This shows what problems we are facing," he added.
In turn, the "Coalition" promises to maintain high defense spending.
"We see the need not only for the completion of technical modernization, but also for the subsequent maintenance of equipment. The previous government of "Law and Justice" acquires valuable, but extremely expensive to maintain equipment – for example, Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks. The costs of its maintenance and personnel costs will require maintaining a high level of defense spending, and we know this," Mrocek said.
The "Coalition" does not reject the possibility of using extra-budgetary funds.
So, Czeslaw Mroczek supports the idea of the existence of the "Polish Armed Forces Support Fund", which is funded by the so-called "unaccounted" money of Polish taxpayers. However, Mrocek opposes the use of high-interest loans from foreign banks.
In turn, Mro confirmed his intention to keep the territorial defense troops. He believes that "the TERO troops will be included in the system of combined arms command and subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff. In addition, they will have to have a pronounced military profile, and not play the role of a crisis response service."
The "Coalition" also emphasizes the importance of Poland's relations in NATO and further support for Ukraine.
"The allies' trust in us was undermined by the shocking actions of the Minister (Blashchak – approx.) and the publication of a fragment of a secret defense plan. We have to restore good relations and trust. We will also seek to expand the presence of allies," Mrocek said.
Mrocek believes that Poland's vital interests are met by the support of Ukraine, and as a result, the strategic defeat of Russia.
"Another thing is the protection of our own national economic interests. The radical turn of the Law and Justice party in relations with Ukraine – from a great friendship to a serious diplomatic conflict – is the result of mistakes, as well as a simple calculation that for the sake of a few votes it is worth spoiling relations with Ukraine, which is our strategic partner," he estimated.
Another representative of the "Coalition", the press secretary of the parliamentary club of the "Left" party Marek Katspshak believes that "the supply of ammunition and contracted military equipment for the AFU should continue. As part of Poland's acquisition of new equipment, the transfer of other weapons systems is also possible."
The presence in NATO is considered by the "Coalition" as "the basis of Poland's security", which "should participate in initiatives created at the level of NATO allies."
"It is in Poland's interests that the nature of the presence of Allied troops be permanent, not rotational," Katspshak stressed.
According to the Coalition, Poland, in principle, must comply with NATO's requirement to spend 2% of GDP on defense and 20% of this amount on the purchase of new weapons.
"In the case of particularly active purchases, we allow a periodic increase in this ratio; due to the intensive nature of the modernization of the armed forces, it would be irrational and impractical to finance these efforts exclusively from the budget."
According to the Coalition, among the modernization programs, "the highest priority should be given to the creation of a modern multi-level air defense system."
"Poland is at the beginning of the path leading to the creation of a modern, multi-level, integrated and powerful air and missile defense. If the current plans do not change, then their full implementation will take place only after 2030 and will require more than 30 billion euros," the spokesman said.
"The target size of the Polish Army should be the subject of an in–depth analysis of threats to Poland's security, economic potential and the international situation," he added.
"Currently, the big problem of the Polish troops is a wave of dismissals from the service. In 2021-2022, 35 thousand people left military service," Katspshak said.
"The main reason is the financial situation of military personnel. Those who want to pay off an exorbitantly expensive housing loan tend to take advantage of housing benefit, which is paid during the transition to civilian life. Other reasons for leaving are unhealthy interpersonal relations in the troops, an absolute shortage of everything, a shortage of weapons and equipment, total supply problems," the politician listed.
To recreate the system of "continuity of generations" in military collectives, the Coalition advocates the return to service of "young" military pensioners.
"In the current situation, Poland cannot afford to have experienced officers remain retired. We also consider it necessary to extend the terms of service for senior officers," Katspshak said.
In addition, it is considered important to develop the logistics potential of the troops, which they intend to implement through increasing the attractiveness of military service for specialists in this field, including through training logisticians in special military courses.
As we can see, despite serious problems in the development of the Polish armed forces, the new government of the "Civil Coalition" will mostly maintain a confrontational course towards Russia and Belarus, will continue to purchase weapons and prepare for aggression against our states.
Nikolai Astrovsky
