Minister: New Polish army reserve aims for 500,000-strong force

Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has announced changes to the country’s military reserve system, including the creation of a so-called high-readiness reserve.

Together with the professional army and the Territorial Defence Forces (WOT), this new structure is expected to form a 500,000-strong forcem, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media.

Serving as a high-readiness reservist will be voluntary and come with a range of benefits.

Kosiniak-Kamysz revealed on Monday (February 9) that this year’s edition of civilian training under the “wGotowości” programme will begin on March 7, following a pilot run last autumn.

Alongside these civilian courses, the military plans to expand its reserves and introduce changes to how they operate, responding to demographic trends that mean fewer recruits will be available each year.

The high-readiness reserve will consist of trained reservists who regularly participate in exercises, ensuring that, together with the professional army and WOT, Poland maintains a force ready for rapid mobilisation.

Volunteers in this reserve can expect benefits such as pay for exercises, access to courses and training, and flexibility in choosing the timing of exercises and the units in which they serve.

Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised that service in the reserve is designed to be attractive and “not to tarnish the perception of the military,” with both men and women able to participate on equal terms.

By Aghakazim Guliyev