Poland to boost army to 500,000 troops by 2039 amid Russia tensions

Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The enlarged force would feature a new high-readiness reserve unit.

Currently, Poland’s army totals about 215,000 soldiers, excluding reservists, making it NATO’s third-largest. According to Defence 24, the force includes 154,000 professional soldiers, nearly 20,000 trained volunteers, and 37,000 in the territorial army.

The move comes amid ongoing tensions with Russia, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Poland, sharing a border with Ukraine, has accelerated military investments to deter potential threats, strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, and enhance national defence capabilities.

Poland plans to spend 5% of its GDP on defence in 2026. The army aims to develop multi-domain capabilities across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Plans include expanding the use of drones, artificial intelligence, and advanced weapons designed for deterrence and punishment.

Officials described the initiative as a “key step towards long-term transformation” to ensure effective defence and credible deterrence against regional threats. The programme reflects Poland’s broader effort to modernise its armed forces and prepare for emerging security challenges in Europe.

Copied