Warsaw unveils universal defence training to boost civil preparedness

Poland has unveiled a new pilot initiative for universal defence training, enabling every adult citizen to take part in one-day courses designed to enhance national preparedness.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the program, called “wReady”, which will run from November 22 to December 14.

The pilot phase will be open to 25,000 adult participants, with sessions held on weekends. Each one-day training will cover key areas such as security, survival, medical response, and cyber hygiene. Participants will be able to select both the course type and location through an online map.

A total of 132 training units — primarily from the Territorial Defence Troops and supported by the Operational Command of the Armed Forces — will organise and conduct the program.

The Ministry of National Defence emphasised that the wReady initiative does not constitute military service and does not require participants to take an oath or join the reserve. Instead, it focuses on teaching essential practical skills for coping with crises, including natural disasters, traffic accidents, and potential security threats.

The ministry plans to expand the initiative significantly next year, aiming to train around 400,000 people through various programs and formats.

The move comes amid Poland’s broader effort to strengthen defence readiness. In recent years, the country has accelerated military training for civilians, with tens of thousands of volunteers participating in exercises. Defence expenditure has also surged to 4.7% of GDP in 2025 — the highest among NATO members — up from 2.2% in 2022, surpassing the defence budgets of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

According to the Defence Ministry, the number of trained volunteers is expected to reach 40,000 by the end of 2025, double the 2022 figure.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has underlined that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security amid uncertainty over the United States’ future role. In response, Poland has built the Eastern Shield defence line along its borders with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region, increased military recruitment, and prioritised mobility, armoured vehicles, and air defence systems.

Currently, Poland’s armed forces are the third largest in NATO, with 216,000 troops. The government aims to expand the army by nearly one-third over the next decade, and the new universal defence program is expected to train up to 100,000 volunteers by 2027.