Informed Question Paper - Polish Military
Abstract
Poland's military reform plan, embodied in the "Technical Modernisation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland 2001-2006," includes significant changes to the structure of the Polish armed forces, armaments, infrastructure, operational procedures, and the number of personnel. Poland already has reduced its armed force strength from 350,000 in the 1980s to about 180,000 today, with further reductions planned through 2003. While these reductions have allowed for a smaller but more effective force, some of the savings derived from these efficiencies were not used for military modernization efforts but were returned to the national budget to meet Poland's other immediate needs. Even though reform plans include an increase in defense spending from 1.9 percent of GNP to 2.1 percent over the next 6 years, only one-third of the Polish army will meet NATO standards by 2006. What are the prospects for the Polish military retaining any savings derived from cost-cutting measures, and for maintaining or increasing its share of the national budget given pressing economic and social requirements pursuant to European Union accession? This paper discusses these questions and sets forth questions concerning the following topics: Polish military modernization, including the military budget, military force reductions, recruitment, women in the Polish military, NATO interoperability, and fighter aircraft procurement; NATO integration, including civilian-military relations and NATO expansion; and regional security, including participation in peacekeeping operations and the Rapid Reaction Forces, relations between Poland and Russia, Poland's military cooperation with its neighbors, and the challenges of future relations with Kaliningrad. Other topics that are discussed include Poland's defense industry, Poland's transatlantic relations, its anti-terrorism policy, and its role in the global anti-terrorism effort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA442296
Entities
People
- Elena Kim-mitchell
Organizations
- National War College