On Saturday, August 15th, on Army Day, Poland held its largest military parade in its history in the capital city of Warsaw and along the Baltic coast, showcasing over 2,000 soldiers, 300 various military vehicles, more than 60 aircraft, and over 20 ships, demonstrating its comprehensive military strength in land, sea, and air forces.
The purpose of this event is to commemorate the crucial victory over the Red Army of Soviet Russia in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Poland aims to send a strong message to the international community about reinforcing defense and providing effective deterrence in the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Faced with escalating geopolitical threats, Polish leaders unanimously emphasize the importance of enhancing military capabilities for national security. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk clearly stated in his address, “Only a strong, well-prepared, truly independent, and sovereign country can avoid war.”
President Karol Nawrocki expressed that Poland, which has been repeatedly invaded by neighboring countries, understands “the cost paid for independence and freedom”. Amid domestic political divisions, Nawrocki called for unity, stressing that “when missiles fall, they won’t ask about political affiliations”, highlighting that national security prevails over political disputes.
The Army Day event saw participation from military personnel from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Romania, and foreign legionnaires from France, among NATO and allied forces. It is worth noting that the “Litpolukrbrig” joint brigade composed of Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine also sent a representative detachment to showcase regional defense cooperation.
Since the comprehensive invasion of Ukraine by Moscow in 2022, Poland has implemented the fastest military modernization plan in Europe, including:
Air Power:
The parade showcased the latest acquisition of American-made F-35 fighter jets (Polish codenamed Husarz). As part of a total order of 32 aircraft worth $4.6 billion, the first batch of 3 jets was delivered in May this year.
Additionally, Poland has ordered 96 AH-64E “Apache” attack helicopters from the United States.
Navy and Ground Equipment:
The new “ORP Wicher” patrol ship has been launched, and there are plans to acquire advanced non-nuclear powered submarines of the Swedish A26 Blekinge-class.
Budget and Force Objectives:
Poland allocated approximately 4.7% of its GDP to defense spending in 2025, ranking first in NATO in terms of proportion, with plans to increase it to 5% by 2026. Currently, Poland has over 220,000 active military personnel, placing its force size at the forefront of NATO, with a long-term plan to expand the total force to 500,000 personnel, including 200,000 reserves.