Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has announced plans to create a new category of military reservists as part of efforts to build armed forces of 500,000 personnel.
Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announces plans for military reserve reforms, Warsaw, 9 February 2026.Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada
Under a long-term defence programme, Poland aims to build peacetime forces of 500,000 by 2039, including more than 200,000 reservists.
Deputy Prime Minister said the „high-readiness reserve” would join professional soldiers and the Territorial Defence Forces to reach the target number.
The move comes as Poland faces demographic challenges that are expected to reduce the pool of potential recruits in coming years, Kosiniak-Kamysz told a press conference.
Membership in the high-readiness reserve would be voluntary and come with benefits, including payment for training exercises and access to courses.
Reservists would have flexibility in choosing when to train and which unit to serve with.
Poland’s Chief of General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła, provided further details of the plan.
He said reservists would be assigned to specific military units and would be required to complete at least eight days of training per year.
Military units have been divided into tiers based on readiness levels, with the most prepared forces expected to mobilise within five to seven days, Kukuła said.
Reserve service must be 'attractive’
Kosiniak-Kamysz said the aim was to make reserve service attractive and accessible to both men and women on equal terms.
The defence minister emphasised that the system should not „destroy people’s perception of the military” and would focus on making service appealing to volunteers.
The announcement coincides with the launch of this year’s „wGotowości” civilian training programme, which begins on 7 March.
A pilot scheme last autumn drew over 16,000 participants.
The ministry has also launched a free mobile app called „wGotowości” to help citizens learn about security, crisis preparedness and military service opportunities.
(ał)
Source: PAP
Radio Poland