Poland Takes Its Military Might Seriously

The National Interest ^ | 1 Dec, 2016 | Agnia Grigas

[MtnClimber]

A call earlier this week between President-elect Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May — in which they agreed on the need for more NATO member states to commit two percent of their GDP on defense spending — brought European security debate back into the limelight.

Although Trump gained notoriety in Europe for his skepticism of America’s alliances, there has been a surge of high-ranking politicians and government officials on both sides of the Atlantic saying that Europe is not doing enough for its defense. Earlier British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that Europe should “step up to the plate” to meet NATO defense spending targets, and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg noted that “more defense spending in Europe is important for the transatlantic bond.” A resurgent Russia and an increasingly inward looking political mood in the United States have prompted this reassessment.

[MtnClimber]

Hope Europe throws off the EU socialists and take charge in providing their own share of national defense.

[thesligoduffyflynns]

well they have to do because if they don’t the EU right now

& has been for many months drawing up plans for a EU

ARMY / armed forces, etc...., not only for Poland but

for that nasty scheme of globalization.

[lee martell]

Maybe Donald can spend the next four to eight years inviting people from the East Bloc to becoming legal American citizens. Sort of even the playing field. Melania can serve as informal ambassador to some slavic nations if she wishes to.

[MtnClimber]

Yes, some people who still hate communism.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Hope they’re not stupid with it. I know. I am a Polak.

[dr_lew]

I always remember Gene Hackman, as the Polish General, in A Bridge Too Far, when he says, “There are those who say we Poles are smart.” ( Of course, he was right ) but I reflexively thought, “That’s not what I heard!”

[elhombrelibre]

To meet Putin's threats to the peace and security of Europe, NATO would be wise to train, assist, and supply the front line states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland) with weapons and ammunition that would make any invasion too high a price for Putin to pay. These weapons should be tactical and not provocative. They should not play into the "we're paranoid" card that Putin and his apologists use to excuse his attacks, like in Georgia and Ukraine.

I am thinking of a variety of anti-tank missiles and weapons (Javelins, MILANS, TOWS, and similar weapons), light artillery (Hawkeye 105 http://www.mandusgroup.com/artillery_solutions/hawkeye_105mm.php), recoiless rifles, sniper rifles, command-detonated anti-tank mines, MANPADS, and a full spectrum of tools for an asymmetrical war that would kill Russians in large numbers should Putin invade those nations. Every citizen should at least have a shotgun and deer rifle. The defensive posture must be such that Putin's party army would die in numbers too great for Putin to justify to his highly ignorant and propagandized people. To not prepare for Putin, is to risk him doing a Grozny or an Aleppo in Europe. He has the malice to do that to anyone too weak to defend themselves from him.

This type of preparedness would lead to true deterrence and peace for all of NATO. The bully Putin would direct his chauvinistic efforts, all designed to support his president-for-life ambitions, elsewhere where the KGB Colonel could rally his benighted followers without much cost.

[jazminerose]

Poles are smart. And fortunately, have long memories.

[Basket_of_Deplorables]

Not tired of WINNING yet...nope...

[Bernard]

or just convince the Baltic states to have and enforce a 2nd amendment counterpart in their constitution. And the market access to make it work. Of course, all of the hardware you mentioned would help as well.

[Bernard]

or just convince the Baltic states to have and enforce a 2nd amendment counterpart in their constitution. And the market access to make it work. Of course, all of the hardware you mentioned would help as well.

[IronJack]

I would like to see Poland become the military equal of Germany. It’s time the Poles were given the means to defend their country, and they would serve as a great check against Russian expansionist dreams.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I read a description of Poland as “the other Germany”, in that with the exception of really bad luck, they could have been an industrial powerhouse, near equal to Germany in power in Europe.

[Uncle Sam 911]

Poland should have a Special Relationship with the US, we need to ensure a free, strong, vibrant Poland is around for many, many years. If that means permanent bases in Poland, get it done.

[Matt_DZ_PL]

If that means permanent bases in Poland, get it done.

Warm welcome!

[Oatka]

with the exception of really bad luck,

Someone said that Poland had the bad luck to lie between Russia and Germany - always in the path of one megalomaniac or the other.

[Matt_DZ_PL]

====I would like to see Poland become the military equal of Germany.====

Pretty soon, really. No kidding. Seeing the proportions of the changes in our army, some German press already sh**t their pants :) For a past year, the real power of the Polish combat forces was almost doubled by creating specials operating territorial units up to 50,000 soldiers. Though not heavily armored, therefore not expensive, it is 50,000 SAS-like trained commandos for an eye-to-eye contact fight with an accent on Rambo-like ability for long-term operations in a wild forest environment.
They are mainly recruited from keen volunteers of the Polish high schools with very high patriotic morale.

Here’s a short glimpse of the new units:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWtdj6f5Tt8

Besides, Polish Defense Minister broke the contract to buy French helicopters and now they're preparing to purchase top US military equipment (aircraft, attack helicopters,etc) and that has become top priority. Besides, the Polish defense industry got so many orders that it can only be called unprecedented.

So, sooner or later, sooner or later... :)

[Matt_DZ_PL]

and this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzJkZyE-CbI (sorry, I can’t find the original spot with the original soundtrack.)

[IronJack]

Yes!!! That's exactly what the US should be doing, building specialized units that can infiltrate the muslime strongholds and wreak havoc, then lure the chasers into ambushes that wipe them out.

Now let's talk about up-arming the Finns and Czechs ...