Priorities of the Polish Armed Forces for 2025. MoND: "This will be the year of the Polish Navy"

- In 2025, we want to do something that has not been done for a long time. Together with the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, we have prepared a proposal that will be implemented this year – division-level exercises conducted at training grounds across Poland. This year, it will be the 18th Mechanized Division. The goal of these exercises is to integrate new platforms that have been delivered to the Polish Armed Forces – integrating them into all operations, assessing the quality of this equipment, and evaluating the operational capabilities of the Polish military, announced Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the annual briefing with the command staff of the Polish Armed Forces.

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05 february 2025 | 17:33 | Source: MON / Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Monika Dwulatek/WCEO

On February 5, 2024, the President of the Republic of Poland and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Andrzej Duda, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, participated in the annual review and task briefing of the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense and the Polish Armed Forces. During the meeting, tasks carried out in 2024 were summarized, and priorities for 2025 were outlined.

Record defense budget for 2025

- 2025 will be another record-breaking year. The defense budget plan is set at 4.7% of GDP. This is a budget for the security of the Polish state and the transformation of the armed forces. PLN 123.5 billion – plus a support fund of PLN 65.4 billion – amounts to nearly PLN 187 billion in total. This money must be managed wisely and effectively because it comes from our taxpayers, to whom I would like to extend my sincere thanks. We are in times when there is no room for budget cuts here – instead, we are talking about increasing expenditures in the coming years. 5% of GDP should be the goal for all allied nations, said the Minister of National Defense during the briefing.

Expanding the Polish Armed Forces

The Minister also addressed priorities related to increasing the size of the Polish Armed Forces and developing new capabilities.

- We have set the planned recruitment limit for voluntary military service at nearly 40,000 people. If necessary, as in the previous year, we are ready to increase this limit. We have also increased the admission quota for military schools. (…) We are streamlining the recruitment process for military service. This will be one of our key tasks. (…) A larger army also means greater responsibility for both physical and mental fitness, said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Among the key operations planned for 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Operation Phoenix, Safe Podlasie, and Baltic Sentry in the Baltic Sea, the latter being an initiative led by Poland.

Modernization of the Armed Forces

Speaking about modernization, the Minister emphasized that 2025 will be a year of upgrading existing military equipment and acquiring new hardware across all domains.

- This will also be the year of the Polish Navy. Recent leadership meetings have been almost entirely dedicated to strengthening the Navy. It's not just about purchasing a new ship. We have signed a contract for Ratownik – a vessel that will serve both the military and, if needed, rescue civilian ships. (…) Yesterday, we proposed budget reallocations to enhance equipment readiness, particularly in this domain. One of the key challenges we faced in 2024 was maintaining the operational capability of existing equipment. While acquiring new hardware is crucial, we also recognize the importance of maintaining what the military already has, the Minister said.

Transformation of the Polish Armed Forces

The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the transformation process of the Polish military will continue at full speed in 2025.

- We will maintain the pace of transformation. (…) Currently, the Armament Agency is executing 396 contracts. Some of the most important deals we aim to finalize this year include the procurement of Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, a submarine, K2 tanks (second executive contract), the leasing of Apache helicopters, modernization of F-16 fighter jets, logistical security under the Wisła program, and HOMAR-A rocket launchers. (…) One of the crucial aspects of transformation will be the implementation of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. A key task for the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces will be establishing a special development unit in coordination with the Ministry and all national security agencies. (…) It is crucial that we do not lag behind in applying these lessons, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Legislative efforts on defense and security

The Deputy Prime Minister also reminded that legislative work is ongoing in the area of defense and security. He announced that a draft amendment to the Homeland Defense Act would soon be presented. Additionally, a bill on compensation for veterans and an investment law are being prepared.

Security challenges and presidential remarks

- Russia has been waging a full-scale, criminal war against Ukraine for three years. This aggression continues to have a critical impact on the stability of our entire region. (…) Undoubtedly, we still face many security threats ahead, said President Andrzej Duda during the briefing.

The President thanked the soldiers for their service in ensuring the safety of Poland and its citizens, with special appreciation directed at those serving on the border.

Kamil Kusier
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