The most heavily invaded country in Europe is doubling its army for fear of Putin

Only a few countries in Europe have done this a history of invasions (against them) as sad as Poland. Over the centuries Romans, Turks, Russians, French, Prussians, Austrians, Germans and so once up to a dozen cities invaded Polish territories to control their institutions, besiege their cities and subjugate the population.

Its privileged position as a bridge between East and West is at the same time a condemnation, especially because it is located in the middle of two giants such as Germany (or the old Prussia) and Russia (or the old USSR), which over time invaded the country one after the other War. World.

For this reason Every time the drums of war sound, the country is on guard, and he did it again after the Kremlin, led by the belligerent Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine. No one is sure that he won’t do the same with the other neighbors.

The proof of this is that in just a decade the Polish Armed Forces Their number has doubled from 95,000 to 200,000including 148,000 active regular soldiers and a territorial defense force founded in 2015 with 38,000 soldiers.

The ultimate goal is a total strength of 300,000which would give Poland by far the largest NATO land army in Europe.

The plan is to accumulate total 1,600 battle tanks, including about 1,000 from South Korea alone, according to military sources consulted by The Times. That means one The army is larger than those of Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy combined.

This year, defense spending is expected to rise to more than 3 percent of GDP. Some estimates suggest it could exceed 4 percent, which would be the highest in NATO.

Former Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, one of the architects of this plan, is clear about the goal: “We are doing this to create such a presence that…” Stop Putin from attacking Polandhe told the Times in an interview.

The plans of Russia’s neighbors

Poland is thus following a trend common to all its neighbors, which are abolishing conscription, increasing their fleet of tanks and aircraft and planning a defensive line, as is the case with the three Baltic republics.

And the situation cannot be made more worrying by statements like those of former US President Donald Trump, who this weekend threatened to abandon NATO countries to their fate at the hands of Russia if they do not increase their defense spending.

Responding to the White House candidate’s veiled threat, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg assured that “any suggestion that allies would not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the United States.” and puts American and European soldiers at greatest risk.”

“I hope that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the United States will continue to be a strong and committed NATO ally,” he added.

Poland’s rearmament program began in earnest at the end of 2018 and has two fundamental objectives. On the one hand, confirm the USA as the main guarantor of Poland’s securityDoubling defense spending and ordering large quantities of modern American equipment: 366 M1 Abrams tanks, 486 Himars multiple rocket systems, at least 32 F-35 fighter jets.

Bet on the other hand Strengthening against traditional war, on the battlefield, against those who predicted that the wars of the 21st century would only take place electronically. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine proved him right.

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