Jarosław Kaczyński made the statement at the War Studies University (ASW) in Warsaw on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The conservative leader took part in a defence policy conference to mark one year since Poland adopted its flagship homeland defence law in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to officials.
‘We must build a victorious army’
According to Kaczyński, the war in Ukraine has shown that “the army of today must have sufficient numbers and be appropriately equipped.”
He told the gathering that this includes “having appropriate firepower, the ability to repel air attacks, and also the ability ... to mount a counteroffensive.”
Kaczyński urged: “We must ensure that the Polish army possesses all these capabilities in full measure. We must build a victorious army.”
Kaczyński said that Poland’s armed forces must have “a powerful anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence,” as well as “longer-range weapons” and “sufficient number of active and reserve soldiers who are trained and fit for combat, both physically and mentally.”
He added that the government sought to create a force comprising “250,000 army soldiers and 50,000 territorial defence personnel.”
‘We must be prepared for everything’
Kaczyński cautioned: “We must be prepared for every eventuality, especially as we don’t know how the war in Ukraine may end.”
He stated: “There is evidence to suggest that the war may end in a compromise, rather than in a final resolution, which will mean that new dangers may arrive soon.”
He told the conference that “Poland fully supports Ukrainians in their demand that all of their territory be liberated,” but added that “not everything is in our control.”
Poland to have Europe’s biggest army in two years: defence minister
Meanwhile, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, who also took part in Monday’s conference, said that “the Polish army must deter aggressors through its strength” and that includes “numerical strength.”
Błaszczak added that, thanks to the 2022 homeland defence law, Poland had begun “to build the biggest land forces in Europe,” a process that should be completed “within two years.”
Homeland defence law
Poland’s 2022 homeland defence law came into force on April 23, 2022, after being fast-tracked through parliament amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, private broadcaster Polsat News reported.
Under the law, Poland committed to spending at least 3 percent of GDP on defence, raising troop numbers to 300,000, including 250,000 active soldiers and expanding training programmes for troops, according to officials.
Monday is day 425 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gazetaprawna.pl, polsatnews.pl