The Federation of exercises under the code name Żelazany Ochrona-25 is 1 of the largest and most crucial training projects of the Armed Forces of Poland in 2025. The defensive exercises are carried out on land, airspace and the Baltic Sea. any 30 1000 soldiers from all types of the Polish Armed Forces and NATO allies, supported by about 600 units of equipment, participate in these events. Joint actions will test the ability to deter and defend Poland effectively.
A crucial part of the task falls to the Territorial Defence Forces, the 5th kind of Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The exercise is attended by: 1 Podlaska, 2 Lublinska, 3 Podkarpackka, 4 Warmian-Mazurska and 5 Mazowiecka Brigade of Territorial Defence as well as WOT Command. In total, about 2500 soldiers and 230 units of military equipment are involved.
The intent of the exercise is to check the preparation of the Territorial Defence Brigade for the performance of the tasks and accomplishment of the objectives resulting from the required capacity as intended. Key operational and tactical problems specified as:
The organisation and conduct of the fight, including safety of gaps and wings of troops and subdivisions of operational troops,
countering asymmetrical and hybrid threats,
Strengthening the protection of the state border,
cooperation with public administrations in the protection of critical infrastructure,
▪️ execution of logistics safety tasks utilizing the site of the convenient and infrastructure of the state.
Throughout September, the Territorials will carry out a number of applicable activities, including the recognition and monitoring of the situation in the Permanent work Divisions, construction of engineering dams, search activities in cooperation with the Police, securing rescue sites and ensuring access to electricity to crucial facilities.
The culmination of the participation of the Territorial defence Army will take place on 18 September at the fresh Deba camp, where a tactical exercise will be carried out. The script assumes an integrated WOT group combat operation in defence conditions, including fire, support, communications and medical tasks. The event will be accompanied by a static and dynamic demonstration of innovative technologies.
WOT soldiers will usage modern weapons systems specified as Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers, Javelin-directed anti-tank missiles, M72 anti-tank grenade launchers, and Warmate unmanned air systems to prove not only the increasing possible of formation, but besides its ability to interact with operational troops.
Territorial Defence troops have consistently developed military competence and combat capabilities – from border defence and civilian protection in peace time to active support of operational troops during the conflict. Their participation in the Iron Defender-25 confirms that they are an integral and essential component of the safety strategy of the Republic of Poland.
Text: Major Rafał Rylich
