Polish Territorial Defense Force will increase to 53,000 soldiers by 2019
Poland’s Minister of National Defense, Antoni Macierewicz, has said that the country’s Territorial Defense Force will consist of 53,000 soldiers by 2019. This was reported by Polskie Radio.
According to the Macierewicz, the second reading of the bill on the establishment of the Territorial Defense Force will take place this week.
He said that the document will contain information on the size, financing and organizational structure of these units.
He added that three brigades and four battalions will be created.
There are currently 3,000 soldiers in the Territorial Defense Force but this number will increase to 18,000 soldiers in 2017. Macierewicz stated that this number will grow to 53,000 soldiers in 2019. He added that this is one third of the entire Polish Army.
The Territorial Defense Force will interact with the operational military units and cooperate with the public administration, as well as with local communities.
The Polish government has already approved a bill which allows for the establishment of the Territorial Defense Force. The government wants any changes to this legislation to come into force before the end of this year.