English Section

Poland creates new army division: defence minister

03.11.2023 13:30
The Polish government is creating a new mechanised army division to strengthen the country’s defences against potential threats, Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said on Friday.
Polands Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announces the formation of the Polish Armys new 8th Mechanised Division in the central town of Nowe Miasto on Friday, November 3, 2023.
Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announces the formation of the Polish Army's new 8th Mechanised Division in the central town of Nowe Miasto on Friday, November 3, 2023.X/Polish Ministry of Defence

He announced the establishment of the Polish Army’s new 8th Mechanised Division in the central town of Nowe Miasto, state news agency PAP reported.

The defence minister said the new division "has to be formed because the Polish army must be strong.”

Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak approves the formation of a new division within the Polish Army, in the central town of Nowe Miasto, on Friday, November 3, 2023. Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak approves the formation of the new Polish Army division in the central town of Nowe Miasto on Friday. Photo: X/Polish Ministry of Defence

Błaszczak stated: “The only effective method of repelling an aggressor is to strengthen the Polish army.”

He told reporters that the new division would be “equipped with modern military hardware.”

The defence minister reiterated the government’s aim to expand the Polish army "to number at least 300,000 troops.”

The new 8th Mechanised Division of the Polish Army will be stationed in Nowe Miasto south of Warsaw, officials said. 

It will comprise two mechanised brigades, a motorised brigade, an artillery brigade, an armoured brigade, a logistics regiment, an anti-tank regiment, an anti-aircraft regiment, a command battalion, a reconnaissance battalion and a chemical warfare battalion, the PAP news agency reported.

The launch of efforts to create the new division came as Poland’s neighbour Ukraine continued to fight against a Russian invasion for the 618th day.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info