Poland will create several new military units in the Podlaskie Voivodeship on the border with Belarus.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of this country, Mariusz Blaszczak, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
In recent weeks, the Polish Ministry of Defense has signed agreements with the authorities of Kolno and Grajewo on the transfer of real estate in these cities to new military units, Blaszczak said on December 14.
“We are negotiating with local governments in several more counties in Podlaskie Voivodeship, but I do not want to prejudge the facts,” the minister said in a commentary to Radio Bialystok.
According to him, units should be located in close proximity to the places where military personnel live.
“Our experience clearly shows that there is greater interest in service if Soldiers can serve where they live or nearby. We live up to these expectations,” Blaszczak emphasized.
In addition, the minister noted that the Polish government announced the construction of the S8 expressway from Bialystok towards the border with Lithuania - to the Raczki junction near Suwałki. In fact, this is a rock road along the border with Belarus, so it is not surprising that Blaszczak called the purpose of its construction “state security.”
“Of course, the main issue is transport links for the inhabitants of Podlaskie Voivodeship, but in this way we also achieve a military goal. We want to strengthen allied relations. I mean, first of all, our Lithuanian partner, but, of course, allied troops, including the United States, are trained in Poland and Lithuania, so this route is also important for the security of our homeland,” added the head of the Polish Ministry of Defense.
Mariusz Blaszczak also confirmed that next year the Polish Ministry of Defense plans to call up 200 thousand reservists, including 40 thousand men who did not serve in the army. He promised that weekend training dates would be adapted so as not to interfere with the professional activities of reservists.
Как reported PolitNavigator, in July 2022, Mariusz Blaszczak stated that Poland will have the strongest ground forces in Europe.