Information
Poland is launching a new nationwide military training initiative called “Always Prepared”, aimed at equipping citizens of all ages, from schoolchildren to pensioners, with basic defence and survival skills. Announced by Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the program is described as the largest defence training effort in Polish history and forms part of a broader goal to train 400,000 people by 2026. The training will include courses on security awareness, survival techniques, first aid, and cyber defence. The Defence Ministry plans to train 100,000 participants by the end of this year, emphasising the program’s role in strengthening Poland’s resilience, preparedness, and military reserve capacity.
The initiative comes amid escalating regional tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Poland, which borders Ukraine for over 500 kilometres, has become one of NATO’s most heavily militarised members, now allocating 4.8% of its GDP to defence, the highest among all alliance members. Kosiniak-Kamysz cited growing threats such as sabotage in the Baltic Sea and cyberattacks as reasons for the heightened readiness measures. The program reflects Poland’s determination not to be “caught off guard” as Ukraine was in 2022 and aligns with Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s earlier call to build an “army of reservists” in response to rising security risks in Eastern Europe.
Source: Reuters
So What
Poland appears to be strengthening its potential military capacity as a strategic deterrent to Russia, mirroring Finland’s defensive approach. By expanding military readiness through broad-based training, the country aims not only to increase the size of its reserves but also to enhance national resilience. The inclusion of first aid, survival, and cyber training in the “Always Prepared” program further underscores Poland’s intent to bolster both civilian safety and technological capabilities, creating a more secure and adaptive society in the face of evolving regional threats.
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