This spring was marked by tragic events – accidents during training and the death of the sergeant. Matthew Sitka from WZZ Podlasie. As a consequence of these events, the General Staff of the Polish Army ordered a review of the safety rules of conducting exercises, and the government announced the strengthening of the cast of the border contingent and investments in the protection of soldiers serving in it.
APRIL
More Korean Army Launchers
The Armed Forces Agency concluded a second executive agreement with Hanwha Aerospace for the transportation of K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers and transfer of technology for the production of spare parts for them in Poland. Under contract between 2026 and 2029, the military will receive 72 fire modules and respective 1000 missiles with a scope of 80 and 290 km. The order value is $1.6 billion.
Training Centre for WOC
Construction started at the Military method Academy Centre for Innovation and Cybersecurity. The investment worth PLN 200 million in the future is intended to enable training of personnel for cyberspace defence troops. The building will be equipped with modern training rooms and laboratories, including war games, field tracking and virtual simulation. The construction is expected to take 4 years.
Response to tragic accidents in training
In spring, respective tragic events occurred during military exercises. In March, 5 soldiers lost their lives, among others. Army from the 5th Chemical Regimentwho were trained to blow up the TNT and due to the avalanche in the Tatras A soldier of the Nil Military Unit died. In consequence to these events in April, General Wiesław Kukuła, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army, announced the launch of a safety review and announced implementation of a fresh methodology for hazard assessment in military training. Explosive classes were besides temporarily suspended. In the structures of the SGWP, the P7 Training Board was established, which will deal comprehensively with this process. 1 June The military has returned to full training.
V Corps with fresh commander
– Commanding this formation was a large privilege for me. I will be her soldier forever," stressed General John Kolasheski, who resigned from the position of commander of the 5th US Army Corps. He was replaced by General Charles Costanza.. The ceremony took place in Poznań, where the advanced command of the American unit is located (the main seat is in Fort Knox). It supervises and coordinates the activities of American land troops in Europe.
Allied Action
Nearly 5,000 soldiers from 8 countries took part in exercises ‘Griffin Shock ’24’. erstwhile conducting defensive operations, soldiers had 800 units of equipment available, including American Abrams tanks, Bradley combat infantry wagons, Stryker transporters, M-Shorad anti-aircraft kits, as well as Polish PT-91 tanks and a haubice carnation. During exercises at the head of the sub-chapters stood Multinational North East Division, which all day coordinates the actions of, among others, battalion combat groups.
Marine Rocket Unit in Romania
27 ships, 17 aircraft and over 2.2 1000 soldiers from 12 countries participated in the ‘Sea Shield ’24’ – the largest exercises of the Romanian Navy this year. Poland was besides among the participants. On the Black Sea coast, the An-124 Ruslan aircraft was moved with a battery conflict module of the Marine Rocket Unit. The maneuver script was to combat illegal enemy operations, conduct search and rescue operations and defend critical infrastructure. The MJR combat module was deployed close Constance, and the Polish component collaborated with the Romanian 508 Coastal Rocket Squadron.
MAY
Shield East – deterrence and defense
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk and General Wiesław Kukuła, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Academy of Sciences, presented the assumptions National deterrence and defence programme “Tarchy East”. It aims to increase the mobility and protection of its own troops, hinder the movement of abroad troops and defend civilians. The shield is to consist, among others, of strengthening system, anti-tank dams, and technologically advanced reconnaissance systems. As part of the project, created in consultation with NATO partners, the ground will besides be prepared under minefields. The cost of implementing the programme in the years 2024-2028 will cost around PLN 10 billion.
Knowledge of the crisis
The heads of education and defence departments: Barbara Nowacka and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish have launched a pilot Education and Defence Programme “Education with the Army”. The aim is to rise awareness of safety and defence among young people. Under the guidance of soldiers, students of primary and secondary schools across Poland learned the basics of saving lives and property, learning the principles of behaviour during the alarm and how to conduct safe evacuation. A large deal of interest in the programme led to a continuation. School classes started at the end of October and a novelty second edition There were student meetings with mission veterans abroad.
Allied in Drawsk
May in Central Europe was marked by the exceptional activity of NATO troops. At the beginning of the month, the Americans and the British came to Poland to participate Natovian exercises ‘Immediate consequence ’24’. British 12 ABCT then collaborated with the 7th Coast Defence Brigade, which for maneuvers was reinforced with the Abrams Tank Battalion from the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade. Military action led the command of the 29th U.S. National defender Infantry Division. After the maneuvers were completed, soldiers of the 12th Mechanized Division began in Drawsk “Fross ’24” exercise. Parallelly in many another places on the east flank of NATO continued exercises, which were part of the large-scale “Steadfast Defender ’24” maneuvers.
The president has appointed commanders
Gen. Guns Marek Sokołowski became commander-general of types of armed forces and Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stańczyk became commander of territorial defence troops. Both generals have temporarily held duties in these positions since October 2023. The appointments were handed to the officers on the occasion of the 3rd May National Day by president Andrzej Duda. Commander of the Armed Forces He besides promoted General of Arms Sławomir Wojciechowski to the rank of General of the Polish Army.
New US Base in Poland
In Podkraków Balice opened US permanent peculiar forces base. The Americans named her Camp Miron in honor of the fallen commando of Ljubljana St. Chor. Staff. Mirosław ŁuckiWho they served with in Afghanistan. The hotel is located on the site of the 8th Transport Air Base and is the easternmost base of American peculiar forces in Europe. “Its creation in Poland means permanent cooperation between American and Polish peculiar forces and our countries,” said Erin Nickerson, consul general of the USA, during the beginning of the base. 150–200 soldiers will be stationed permanently in Kraków.
Missile and Aerostatic Agreements
MON head Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz signed over 800 aircraft to acquisition from the US Long-range AGM-158B JASSM-ER. The agreement, worth $735 million, is to be implemented between 2026 and 1930. “It is simply a strategical purchase, changing our position and capabilities of the Polish army regarding deterrence and defence,” said the head of the MON. This is the biggest acquisition of specified weapons so far. A fewer days earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister besides concluded a contract for the acquisition of 4 reconnaissance aerostats with the US within the framework of ‘Barbara’ programme. The strategy is expected to accomplish operational capability in 2027.
Bayraktary complete
The 12th Air Ship Unmanned Base held the reception ceremony of the last, 4th Bayraktar TB2 reconnaissance and impact kit. It includes six drones, 3 ground control stations, weapons and spare parts. In total, the fleet of Turkish drones in the Polish Army already has 24 units. Thus the contract concluded in 2021 and worth $270 million was full fulfilled. Deputy Minister Bejda pointed out that the acquisition of Bayraktars is another step towards the creation of a separate structure in the Polish Army, which would deal with the usage of drones on the battlefield.
JUNE
Tragedy on the border with Belarus
At the end of May in the vicinity of Dubiche, the Orthodox church on the Polish-Belarusian border One of the Polish soldiers was stabbed by a migrant. Unfortunately, a fewer days later Sergeant. Matthew Sitek died in hospital. Following the attack on the soldier, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ministers of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Home Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak paid a visit to Podlasie. They announced strengthening the border quota by further soldiers and policemen, as well as the launch of any Legal measures and logisticsto rise the safety of the uniforms.
New regulations after detaining soldiers
In the first decade of June, the media revealed that at the turn of March and April in the vicinity of the Dubicz Orthodox Military Gendarmeria, 3 Polish soldiers of the Military Task Force Podlasie were detained for having fired informing shots in the direction of the migrants trying to cross the border. 2 soldiers were accused of being exposed to life and wellness and of being overpowered, and were suspended in their duties. The day after the disclosure of the information, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz admitted that the Military Gendarmerie, by making the detention, She was overzealous.. They besides commented President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. As a result, changes in law were announced. Formed Act improving the operation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, the Police and the Border defender in the event of a threat to State security. Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish besides announced the creation of a legal aid office for soldiers.
PKW Olimp in Paris
President Andrzej Duda signed determination to usage the Polish Military Quota Olimp to support the French Armed Forces in securing the XXXIII summertime Olympics in Paris. 20 soldiers took part in the mission of PKW Olimp under the command of Colonel Damian Zalewski, mainly from the 2nd Mazovian Bombers Regiment and the office of the General Military Police, including guide with dogs trained in pyrotechnics. Poles together with French soldiers secured infrastructure and advised on anti-terrorism, and collaborated with colleagues from another armies. The mission of Polish soldiers lasted from 24 June until the end of the Paralympic Games in September.
Baltics
More than 50 ships from the US, large Britain, Germany, France, Spain and Sweden, 40 aircraft and helicopters, as well as 9,000 soldiers from 20 NATO states took part “Baltops ’24” exercises Lithuania. Among the participants of the biggest edition maneuvers in past traditionally Polish units were located: Among others, the ORP rocket frigate "Gen. K. Pulaski" and the ORP tanker "Baltic" from the 3 Fleet Ships in Gdynia. president Andrzej Duda met with soldiers taking part in the maneuvers. “The smooth operation of our Navy in the structures of the North Atlantic Alliance is crucial for our security,” said the president during his visit to the Centre for Maritime Operations – Command of the Marine Component in Gdynia.
Abrams complete
He reached Poland last transport of Abrams M1A1 tanks. Before the equipment went to the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade, he passed the alleged so-called Military Automotive Plant in Poznań. deprocessing, i.e. method performance control of vehicles. This is where the Regional Competency Centre was launched in February of that year. The contract concluded with the US provided for the transportation of 116 utilized tanks in the M1A1 version, as well as many specialized support vehicles. In subsequent years the Polish Army will receive 250 Abrams in the latest version of M1A2 SEPv3.
Mark Rutte headed NATO
The fresh Secretary General of NATO was Mark Rutte, Dutch politician, erstwhile Prime Minister of the country. He succeeded Jens Stoltenberg, who was head of the Alliance for a decade. All associate States supported the Dutch candidate. He took office in October of that year. “He is simply a strong leader and a individual who can build universal consent,” said the outgoing NATO secretary.
AWACS delivered
A second aircraft of early informing Saab 340 AEW Erieye Airborne Early informing arrived at the Polish Army. In August, the first Polish Saab crew completed their training and in November aircraft have reached operational readiness and have started on-calls. An agreement for the acquisition of 2 aircraft utilized by the Swedish army Saab 340 AEW was signed in July 2023. The Armed Forces Agency paid about €52 million for them. First of the aircraft reached Poland in March that year.
