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The Polish Army plans to acquire up to 1,000 new tanks in different variants, reported local daily Rzeczpospolita. It is expected that Poland’s Ministry of Defense will sign a deal to launch production of the Anders, the tank prototype developed by Bumar Group’s OBRUM Gliwice research unit, according to the Polish newspaper. “The order will be placed with the Polish defense industry, but to boost the design and production phase, it will be vital to cooperate with top foreign defense manufacturers,” said retired . Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, Poland’s deputy defense minister responsible for the armed forces’ modernization. The Polish tank...

Polish troops accused of blowing up house for fun 15/08 08:56 CET Poland’s military is investigating claims that a group of its soldiers blew up an empty family home in Afghanistan for fun. If true the act would have been in violation of the Geneva convention. The probe was launched after a three-minute film of the alleged incident appeared on the internet. The Polish government says it is not yet clear whether the building was a legitimate target or not. Poland’s Ministry of Defence spokesman in charge of the mission in Afghanistan Colonel Piotr Lukasiewicz said: “When the hearing (tribunal)...

Poland sends seventh contingent to Afghanistan 22.03.2010 17:51 A farewell ceremony has been held in Zamość, eastern Poland, for the seventh rotation of Poland’s military contingent in Afghanistan. Chief of General Staff General Franciszek Gągor stressed in his address that the Polish contribution to the process of stabilization in Afghanistan is a major boost for Poland’s position and image on the international scene. He added that the experience gained in the mission has tangibly accelerated the modernization of the Polish armed forces. Poland has around 2, 200 soldiers serving in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force at the moment. Next month...

Before After

22nd Carpathian Mountain Infantry Battalion is a sub-unit of the Polish 21st Podhale (Highland) Rifles Brigade

Twenty first rifles leave for Afghanistan 01.10.2009 08:05 The sixth rotation of Polish forces in Afghanistan has begun with the departure of the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade. The brigade left the south-eastern town of Rzeszow for its mission in Afghanistan, Tuesday afternoon. At an official departure ceremony, representatives from Poland’s Ministry of Defence and army officers were in attendance. The brigade are taking part in the sixth rotation of Polish forces in Afghanistan, and numbers 1200 soldiers, who will come back to Poland in six months’ time. The highlander soldiers have been in training since November last year for Poland’s...

Polish soldier dies in Afghanistan Published: 09.11.09, 13:31 / Israel News Poland's Defense Ministry says a soldier has been killed and four others injured in an exchange of fire with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Thirty-year-old Pfc. Piotr Marciniak was killed Thursday in the eastern Ghazni province after a group of 30 Polish troops was sent to support a U.S.-Afghan force that encountered Taliban fire.

Poland’s land forces commander resigns 20.08.2009 17:30 UPDATE - As the commander of the land forces resigns, President Lech Kaczynski said the readiness of Poland’s armed forces to carry out their missions abroad requires “an immediate and serious debate”. General Waldemar Skrzypczak resigned as commander of Poland’s army, Thursday afternoon, after accusing the Defence Ministry of “serious incompetence” which has contributed to the growing casualty rate of Polish troops in Afghanistan. Earlier, President Lech Kaczynski said after a meeting with Defence Minister Bogdan Klich to discuss the general’s remarks, that an urgent improvement at the level of process and equipment...

Armed Forces Day in Poland 15.08.2009 12:42 A Memorial Appeal taking place Friday began this year’s Armed Forces Day and 89th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, also known as the Miracle at the Vistula. The official ceremony, paying tribute to fallen soldiers, took place at the capital’s Powazki Military Cemetery. During the observance, deputy defense minister Czeslaw Piatas highlighted the fact that the 15th of August is an especially important day for Poles, as it inspires them to think about the rich heritage of the Polish army, and the future of the army, now facing professionalization and modernization. Today,...

Polish army's successful offensive in Afghanistan 19th June 2009 The largest operation to date against the Taliban consisted of 800 Polish soldiers In operation 'Eagle's feather,' the Polish army in Afghanistan for the first time carried out a offensive against the Taliban. In the largest operation to date, they destroyed a network of weapon dumps and demolished Taliban radio masts. The soldiers are glad that finally they were on the offensive and had the initiative. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, 800 Polish soldiers took part in the operation, which was supported by the Afghan army The losses were several damaged vehicles...

Good Friday. Countless thousands of people of Warsaw attended the Way of the Cross through the streets of the city led by the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces carrying the Cross of Jesus.  

Polish soldiers on trial for killing Afghan civilians Posted : Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:59:51 GMT Author : DPA Warsaw - Seven Polish soldiers accused of killing Afghan civilians took the stand on Tuesday in what was the first trial in Polish history on violating the Hague and Geneva conventions. The court ruled to close the proceedings off to the media, saying it could lead to "dramatization" of the case and that the hall was too small to hold journalists. Prosecutors claim to have strong evidence that the soldiers unlawfully killed civilians in the Afghan village of Nangar Khel in...

Amateur film “Polish Army” YouTube hit Created: 03.10.2008 13:36 An amateur video about the reality of life in Poland’s peacekeeping forces abroad has become a hit on YouTube – and the Polish Defence Ministry is highly impressed. A nine-minute amateur film, “Polish Army”, presenting scenes of the Polish peacekeeping missions abroad as been viewed by over 750,000 on the internet. The Defence Ministry is so pleased with it that they have decided to ask the filmmakers to make another film especially for them. The authors, a group of fans of the cult computer game “Canon Fodder” say that the film...

Swedish power metal band singing praises of Polish soldiers 22.08.2008 A song recorded by a power metal band from Sweden tells the story of a heroic stand by Polish soldiers in World War II. Presented by Elzbieta Krajewska "Baptised in fire, 40 to 1 Spirit of Spartans Death and glory; Soldiers of Poland Second to none" goes the song by the Swedish power metal band Sabaton. They tell the story of the Battle of Wizna, when over four days of September 1939, 720 Polish soldiers under the command of Władysław Raginis held off an attack by more than 42 thousand...

It is Army Day in Poland 15.08.2008 It is Army Day in Poland, as today the anniversary falls of the triumph of Polish forces over the Soviets in 1920, also called the ‘Miracle on the Vistula’. One of the main events to celebrate this day is a military parade that goes through Warsaw. Over 1200 Polish soldiers are to march through Poland’s capital, with French, German, Ukrainian, Slovakian and Lithuanian companies also present. Apart from an infantry presence, heavy military machinery is also to grind its way through the streets of Warsaw, such as Leopard 2A4 and PT-91 Twardy tanks....

Poland introduces professional army www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-06 07:14:40 WARSAW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Polish government on Tuesday passed a military reform program designed to turn Poland's army into a professional force, according to Polish news agency PAP. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after a cabinet meeting that Poland's obligatory draft would end with this year and that by 2010 Poland would have a fully professional army numbering 120,000troops. Currently Poland's armed forces number over 124,000 soldiers. Defense Minister Bogdan Klich, speaking to Polish Radio One on Tuesday, said at present career soldiers constitute some 64 percent of the entire military...

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=KBwwFsKTJGs

I've just found these pictures. This soldier is praying, while he's having some break during an action in Iraq. I must admit I've never seen anything like this before. COOL!

We want you for the Polish army! 05.11.2007 Polish army is launching a special campaign to encourage young people to join the army voluntarily. Defense Ministry hopes to be able to end the draft and create a fully professionaly army by 2013. Joanna Najfeld reports We want you for the Polish army! Soldiers trained especially for the occasion will be promoting the military profession all over Poland. The aim of the campaign is to attract young men and women with a passion for the army, says Poland's Defense Minister Aleksander Szczygło: 'First of all passion and interest in the army,...