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Wojsko Polskie (WP, Polish Army) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. The name has been used since the early 19th century, although it can be used to refer to earlier formations as well. Polish Armed Forces consist of the Army (Wojska Lądowe), Navy (Marynarka Wojenna) and Air Force (Siły Powietrzne) branches and are under the command of the Ministry of National Defense (Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej).
[edit] History
Main articles: History of the Polish Army, Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Polish contribution to World War II
The modern day Wojsko was created in 1918, from the three separate Russian, Austro-Hungarian, and Prussian armies and equipment left following World War I. The force expanded during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1922 to nearly 800,000 men, but then was reduced when peace was reestablished. During the Second World War, on 1 September 1939 the force was nearly one million men strong, but was defeated by a German attack in September 1939, which was followed on 17 September 1939 by a Soviet attack.
Some Polish forces escaped from the region and joined Allied forces fighting in other theatres while those that remained in Poland splintered into guerilla units and partisan groups which fought in clandestine ways against the foreign occupiers of Poland.
After the war, the Soviets imposed their own structure on the military, which was ultimately discarded after the fall of communism. Currently the military is being re-organized according to NATO standards. Some of the major problems facing the Polish Army Forces are the transition from a draft-based to a contract-based army and elimination of "fala" - the hazing of young conscripts by older ones.
[edit] Organization
The combined Polish armed forces consists of 124,000 [2] active duty personnel and in addition 234,000 reserves. The armed forces are made up of conscripts who serve for a period of 9 months, and professional soldiers. Personnel levels and organization in the different branches are as follows (2004):
- Land Forces: 76,000 [2] (2 Mechanized Corps (1 and 2), 3 Mechanized Divisions (1, 12 and 16) and 1 Armoured Division (11), 6 armored cavalry brigades.)
- Air Force: 36,450 (Air and Air Defense Corps)
- Navy: 14,300 (1 Battle Fleet)
- Special Forces (3 Special Units - Grom, 1.PSK, Formoza
[edit] Profesionalisation
As of 2006 professional soldiers make up 60% of military personnel, while the current government of Poland intends to make the Army fully professional by 2009 by ending the draft or reducing it to short training of recruits that would last up to two or three months. Conscripts currently have to do 9 months service and every male aged 18 is due for this service.
[edit] Equipment
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- Main article: Equipment of the Polish Army
[edit] Modernisation
The Polish military is in the middle of a long term modernisation programme. Recent modernization projects include:
Modernisation plans also include acquiring new transport helicopters, AA Missile Systems, advanced jet trainers, light infantry vehicles, aerial refueling aircraft, VIP transport aircraft, submarine and attack helicopters.
[edit] Mission
The most basic goal of the armed forces is the defense of Polish territorial integrity, and Polish interests abroad. Poland's national security goal is to further integrate with NATO and other west European defense, economic, and political institutions via a modernization and reorganization of its military. Polish military doctrine reflects the same defense nature as its NATO partners. Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements. Poland is also playing an increasingly larger role as a major European peacekeeping power in the world through various UN peacekeeping actions, cooperating with neighbouring nations (LITPOLBAT, POLUKRBAT).
[edit] Recent operations
Polish Armed Forces took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, deploying 2,500 soldiers in the south of that country and commanding the 17-nation Multinational force in Iraq. In addition to this, Polish soldiers are currently deployed in five separate UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNDOF, UNIFIL, EUFOR and KFOR). Total international deployment of Polish military is over 4,500 troops.
Current deployment (2008):
Iraq MNF-I'
- Presonel: 900 (peak - 2,500)
- 11 Helicopters
Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force
- Personel: 1,600
- 8 Helicopters
Chad EUFOR Chad/RCA
- Personel: 400
- 3 Helicopters
Lebanon UN Interim Force
Syria UN Disengagement and Observation Force
Bosnia and Herzegovina EUFOR ALTHEA
Lithuania NATO QRA (Air Defence Quick Reaction Alert)
- Personel: 100
- 4 Jet Fighters
Atlantic OceanStanding NRF Maritime Group 1
[edit] Trivia
Polish military forces are the origin of the two-fingers salute.
[edit] Branches
The Wojsko consists of the following branches:
[edit] Gallery
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
 Polish Armed Forces |
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Lockheed Martin F-16 for the Air Force (48 + option for another 48)
EADS CASA C-295 for the Air Force (18)
Patria XA-360 for the Land Forces (700)
Leopard 2A4 for the Land Forces (125 + option for another 125)
Gawron Class Frigate for the Navy (7 to be built)
