Defence minister announces strategy for Poland

Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said that Russia “aimed to boost its position by breaking international law, used force … against other countries, and tried to destabilise Western structures such as NATO and the EU”.

Macierewicz also pointed to NATO’s southern flank, migration from the Middle East, as well as “religiously-motivated terrorism from the so-called Islamic State” as other threats to Poland’s security.

He said that Polish defence capabilities will grow and that Poland will be able to defend itself independently within 12 years.

“For the first time in the history of the Third Polish Republic we have created a plan for the effective defence of the nation and its interests,” Macierewicz said.

He said the new strategy, called the Concept of Defence of the Republic of Poland, was necessary as Poland was previously convinced there was little threat of armed conflict in its part of Europe.

The strategy was drawn up following a “strategic defence review” which ended this month.

It focuses on the defence of Polish territory, with an emphasis on measures to stop enemy activities against Poland, but also considers necessary participation in foreign missions with allies, and also outlines strategies on cyber and energy security.

The strategy also reiterates Macierewicz's earlier promises to increase defence spending and modernise the military. (vb/pk)

Source: IAR, PAP