Poland establishing Territorial Defense Forces on borders of Russia, Belarus
16 May 2017, 01:51
Poland is creating a new military branch – Territorial Defense Forces (TDF). In addition, Warsaw is increasing military spending while Belarus defense budget is lower than those of all its neighbours. Why are Poles arming themselves? Why now? Should Belarusians be wary of the neighbour’s military activity? A representative of Poland’s Territorial Defense Forces Staff Office has made an exclusive comment to Belsat TV program Prasviet (World and Us).
“Always Ready. Always Near” is the motto of the fifth branch the Polish Armed Forces. On May 2, the Flag Day, Poland’s Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz appointed commanders of three new brigades of territorial defense forces and cited an excerpt of the Constitution of the Commonwealth adopted on May 3, 1791:
The Minister devoted the two-century old quote to the entire army, but primarily to the Territorial Defense Forces. The concept of their establishment was signed a year ago.
As part of the first stage, in 2016, three brigades were established close to the border of Belarus and Ukraine in eastern Poland.
Now, the second stage is in progress; one brigade is being formed in the north, not far from Russia’s Kaliningrad region, and two in central Poland. Then, TDF formations will be created in the hinterlands.
Establishing TDF: 2016 – 3 brigades, 2017 – 3 brigades, 2018 – 7 brigades, 2019 – 4 brigades
In two years, the Territorial Defense Forces are expected to deploy 53,000 soldiers in 17 brigades. Paramilitary organizations, military classes graduates and ex-servicemen will be welcome on a first-priority basis. Continuing to work as managers or IT specialists, they will train themselves on weekends.
A soldier will get about 120 euros per month for his combat readiness. Commanders are supposed to be professional soldiers, as well as the rest of the Polish Army: seven years ago compulsory military service was abolished in Poland.
TDF will have the nature of mobile light infantry armed with up-to-date weapons.
NATO member states committed themselves to increase their military expenditure to at least 2 % of GDP annually, which has been already done by Poland and Estonia. Russia’s and Ukraine’s cost of defense is even higher.
Defense cost (% of GDP): Belarus 1.3%, Latvia – 1.5%, Lithiania – 1.7%, Poland – 2%, Ukraine – 3.8%, Russia – 5.3%
According to the draft bill published by Poland’s MoD, the country’s defense outlays may reach 2.2% of GDP by 2020 and 2.5% – by 2030.
Thus, next year 500-700 mln euros may be added, which is the entire defense budget of Belarus. Poles intend to increase the maximum number of army personnel from today’s 150,000 to 200,000, 130,000 of which will be professional soldiers.
This fits in Poland’s policy to address possible threats, Zmitser Mitskevich believes.
The higher-level Polish army will deter a potential aggressor. A full-fledged conflict is unlikely to happen in the region, but in this case, the Poles will be able to stop the enemy, hold them back and live to the allies’ arrival.
Poland’s Territorial Defense Forces pose no threat to Belarus which aspires to neutrality.
The first big exercise for those TDF soldiers who had never served in the army before started on May 6.