On 15 August, at noon, a central parade was held in Piłsudski Square in Warsaw for the celebration of the Polish Army. The event was attended by the most crucial representatives of the state, abroad guests and thousands of citizens. In the background of the celebration of the 105th anniversary of the Warsaw Battle, the war in Ukraine, the changing geopolitical realities and the ongoing transformation of the Polish Armed Forces.
The speech of the president of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, was of peculiar importance in these circumstances. It was not only a tribute to history, but besides a precise outline of the directions of improvement of the Polish army and national security.
The president began by recalling the importance of the 1920 victory, stressing that it is not only a historical anniversary, but a origin of contemporary responsibilities.
“The large triumph of Poles from 1920 over Bolsheviks has left us, modern Poles, a beautiful, crucial lesson, a evidence and a deep heritage that we must read.”
This heritage, as he pointed out, is committed to defending freedom and developing the defence possible of the state. August, in the words of the President, is simply a time of national pride for Poles, but besides a minute erstwhile it is essential to clearly say that independency is not given erstwhile and for all.
“Independence is simply a valuable good, but independency is besides a very costly good, and taking care of independency present is our most crucial task.”
Maintaining independency — in practice — means building a strong, modern and ready - to - act army. The president outlined very circumstantial objectives in this regard. He spoke about continuing modernization, expanding the numbers of the Armed Forces and the request for a strategical imagination of military development, which is not influenced by current policies.
"We should be not the third, but the first – the first strongest army of the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe. And that is what I will strive for, as president of Poland, for the coming years.”
In this context, 1 of the strongest words of the full speech was besides given — a message of determination that Poland should have not only the number, but besides the ability of real deterrence.
“It is not words and promises that are needed today, but a real armored fist of deterrence and defense. And that is our goal – a strong Polish Army, ready for action.”
The "tank fist" — an expression marked by military clarity — refers straight to the expansion of armored and mechanized troops, which are to be the backbone of operational capacity. It symbolizes both the power of fire and the readiness to respond to any emergency scenario. In practice, this means further purchases of Abrams and K2, Haubic Krab, anti-aircraft defence systems and full saturation of the army with modern technology. Not for shows, but as a real deterrent.
One of the key points of the speech was besides the issue of national unity — the same 1 that the president felt allowed us to win in 1920 and which we request more present than ever.
“We won thanks to unity, thanks to the community. Polish peasants stood alongside them Polish students, scouts and patriots. Professional soldiers stood beside them and volunteers.”
Today, the Community is expected to be a cross-party work for national security. The president declared his readiness to cooperate closely with the government on fundamental papers defining directions for defence development.
"We must work together with the government, but besides with Polish parliamentarians to bend over strategic, essential papers of the National safety Strategy."
In this context, the creation of the “Constitution of the safety of the Republic” was besides announced — a paper which would find for decades the pillars of the state's defence policy and destruct the hazard that the Polish Army would be a hostage to political cycles.
“The Polish War cannot function in sprints of parliamentary elections, or even sprints of presidential elections.”
Part of the speech was besides devoted to designation for soldiers. The president spoke of modern heroism, of those who supply ranks of armies and of those who gave their lives on missions outside the country. He besides addressed citizens, stressing that safety is not only the task of soldiers, but besides the effect of the attitude of society.
"It is you in your hearts, in your minds that besides decide our freedom. due to the fact that Poland needs to be loved to defend it, to have strong boundaries.”
There was no deficiency of mention to key figures: Poland is already spending 5 percent of GDP on defence, which makes it a NATO leader in real terms. A 300 - 1000 - 1000 - army declaration — a number to go hand in hand with top - class equipment and interoperability within the Alliance — was besides upheld.
“We must add all the strength and means to keep Poland safe, and the Polish Army and the Polish Armed Forces can develop, modernise and so that we can have more and more Polish soldiers.”
The President's words have been interpreted by many commentators as a clear signal of your direction in the face of instability in the region. The imagination of Poland as not only a loyal NATO member, but its military pillar in Europe, sounded powerfully and unequivocally. This is to be done both by expanding expenditure and by arranging the strategy of strategical state documents.
The culmination of the speech was a symbolic buckle — a tribute given both to the heroes of the Warsaw conflict and to contemporary soldiers. The full ended with a patriotic, almost ritualized cry that sounded all over Poland that day:
"Hi and glory to the heroes of 1920! Hail and praise to the heroes of modern times, soldiers of the Polish Army! Long live the free, independent and sovereign Republic!”
This year's Polish Army Day, thanks to strong symbolism and concrete announcements, will most likely become 1 of those days that will long be remembered by citizens and decision-makers. Not only as a commemoration of the past, but as a starting point for the real transformation of the Armed Forces of the Republic into the most powerful NATO land component in Europe — with an armored fist ready to operate.