Polish Armed Forces
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Armed Forces of Republic of Poland 'Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej' |
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| Service branches | Polish Land Forces Polish Air Force Polish Navy Polish Special Forces |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Lech Kaczyński |
| Minister of Defense | Bogdan Klich |
| Chief of staff | gen. Franciszek Gągor |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 18 years of age |
| Conscription | No |
| Available for military service |
10,354,978, age 15–49 (2003 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually |
343,500 (2003 est.) |
| Active personnel | 99,170 |
| Reserve personnel | 240,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $11.8 billion (FY2009) 19th |
| Percent of GDP | 1.95% (FY2008 est.) |
| Related articles | |
| History | List of Polish wars Timeline of the Polish Army |
Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej ("Armed Forces of the Polish Republic", abbreviated SZ RP; popularly, Wojsko Polskie, abbreviated WP—roughly, the "Polish Military") is the national defense forces of Poland. The name has been used since the early 19th century, but can also be applied to earlier periods.
The Polish Armed Forces comprise the Army (Wojska Lądowe), Navy (Marynarka Wojenna), Air Force (Siły Powietrzne) and Special Forces (Wojska Specjalne) and are under the command of the Ministry of National Defense (Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej).
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[edit] History
Main articles: History of the Polish Army, Armia Krajowa (Army of the Country), Polish contribution to World War II.
The modern day "Wojsko" was created in 1918, from the three separate Russian, Austro-Hungarian, and Prussian armies and equipment left following World War I. The force expanded during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1922 to nearly 800,000 men, but then was reduced when peace was reestablished. During the Second World War, on September 1, 1939 the force was nearly one million men strong, but was defeated by a German attack in September 1939, which was followed on September 17, 1939 by a Soviet attack (see: Polish September Campaign).
Some Polish forces escaped from their occupied, divided country, and joined Allied forces fighting in other theatres while those that remained in Poland splintered into guerilla units of the Home Army and partisan groups which fought in clandestine ways against the foreign occupiers of Poland.
After the war, the Soviet Union imposed their own structure on the armed forces and created the "People's Army of Poland" : Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (1945-1952) , Siły Zbrojne Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej (Armed Forces of People's Republic of Poland) (1952-1990) . This was ultimately discarded after the fall of communism. Currently the armed forces is being re-organized according to NATO standards. One of the major problems facing the Armed Forces of Republic of Poland is the transition from a draft-based to a contract-based army.
[edit] Organization
The combined Polish armed forces consists of 99,170 [1] active duty personnel and in addition 234,000 reserves. In 2009 the Armed Forces transformed into a fully professional organization and compulsory military service was abolished. Personnel levels and organization in the different branches are as follows (2004):
- Land Forces: 60,000 (4 divisions, independent units and territorial forces)
- Air Force: 17,000 (Air and Air Defense Corps)
- Navy: 14,300 (2 Fleets)
- Special Forces: 1,500 (4 Special Units - GROM, 1 PSK, "Formoza", special logistics Military Unit)
- Other institution is Żandarmeria Wojskowa Polish Military Police
Polish Armed Forces will have 100,000 active personnel and a new formation, National Reserve Forces, which will include 20,000 troops combat-ready in case reserves are needed. [2]
[edit] Equipment
[edit] Land Forces
- Main Battle Tanks: 944 (Leopard 2A4, PT-91, PT-91M, PT-91MA1, T-72, T-72A, T-72M1, T-72M1D)
- AFV: 1985 (KTO Rosomak, BWP-1, BWR-1S, BWR-1D, HMMWV, BRDM-2)
- Artillery: 1217 (120mm or greater)
- Army Helicopters: 152 (PZL W-3, PZL SW-4, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-24 )
[edit] Air Force
- Jet Fighter: 84 ( MiG-29, F-16)
- Attack Aircraft: 48 (Su-22)
- Cargo aircraft: 43 (C-295, C-130, PZL M28)
- Helicopters: 192 (PZL W-3, PZL SW-4, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-2)
[edit]
- Frigates: 2 (Oliver Hazard Perry Class)
- Corvettes: 5 (Kaszub class, Tarantul Class, Orkan Class)
- Submarines: 5 (Kilo Class, Kobben Class)
- Over 60 other vessels (including survey ships, landing vessels, tankers and training ships
[edit] Modernisation
The Polish military is in the middle of a long term modernisation programme. Recent modernization projects include:
Lockheed Martin F-16 for the Air Force (48 + option for another 48)- Lockheed C-130 for the Air Force (5)
EADS CASA C-295 for the Air Force (11)
KTO Rosomak for the Land Forces (895)- WR-40 Langusta for Rocket artillery (62 ordered + option for another)
- MRAP Cougar for the Land Forces (40)
Leopard 2A4 for the Land Forces (128)- Gawron Class Frigate for the Navy (7 to be built)
- Kormoran 2 Class Minehunters for the Navy (5 to be built)
- OHP Class Frigate for the Navy (2)
- Projekt TYTAN Polish Future Soldier project.
Modernisation plans also include acquiring new transport helicopters, AA Missile Systems, advanced jet trainers, light infantry vehicles, aerial refueling aircraft, VIP transport aircraft, submarine and attack helicopters.
[edit] Mission
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The most basic goal of the armed forces is the defense of Polish territorial integrity, and Polish interests abroad. Poland's national security goal is to further integrate with NATO and other west European defense, economic, and political institutions via a modernization and reorganization of its military. Polish military doctrine reflects the same defense nature as its NATO partners. Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements. Poland is also playing an increasingly larger role as a major European peacekeeping power in the world through various UN peacekeeping actions, cooperating with neighbouring nations (LITPOLBAT, POLUKRBAT).
[edit] Recent Operations
Polish Armed Forces took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, deploying 2,500 soldiers in the south of that country and commanding the 17-nation Multinational force in Iraq. In addition to this, Polish soldiers are currently deployed in five separate UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNDOF, UNIFIL, EUFOR and KFOR). Total international deployment of Polish military is over 4,500 troops.
[edit] Current Deployment
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Completed operations (as of December 2009) : |
[edit] Trivia
Polish Armed Forces are the only military entity in the world to use a two-finger salute which is only used while wearing a hat with the emblem of the Polish eagle, such as military hat rogatywka. The salute is performed with the middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The tips of the middle and index fingers touch the peak of the cap, two fingers meaning honour and fatherland (Honor i Ojczyzna).
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:Military of Poland |
- Czesław Piątas, one-time Chief of General Staff of the Polish Army
- History of Polish Intelligence Services
- List of Polish wars
- Polish Army oaths
- Polish military awards and decorations
- Polish Armed Forces rank insignia
- Podhale rifles
- Polish Army Museum
- List of Polish armoured fighting vehicles
- Polish military eagle
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- Polish Army Galleries
- Official Website of the Polish Land Forces
- Official Website of the Polish Ministry of Defense
- Official Website of the Polish Air Force
- Official Website of the Polish Navy
- Official website of the Polish Special Forces
- kamouflage.net > Europe > Poland (Republic of Poland)
- Pictures from Iraq of Polish Army
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