“In a moment, we will see with our own eyes how much has changed in the Polish Armed Forces over the last few years. August 15 is not only an opportunity to pay tribute to the heroes of the victorious Battle of Warsaw and thank modern soldiers for defending our homeland. It is also a perfect day to show our strength, to show that we have built powerful armed forces that will effectively defend our borders without hesitation, to show that Poland has become a major player on the international stage” – Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said during the central celebration of the Polish Army Day.
August 15 In Warsaw, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Poland, the Supreme Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, A. Duda, the head of the Ministry of National Defense and representatives of the state authorities and the commanding staff of the Polish Army, central celebrations were held on the occasion of the Polish Army Day. After 3 years, the largest parade of the Polish Army returned, during which military equipment used by Polish soldiers on a daily basis was presented.
“The times when the army had to be ashamed of the equipment and conditions in which it serves are long gone. Today we show our strength and modernity. Strong white and red is the slogan of this year’s celebration of the Polish Army Day. equipped with the highest quality equipment, which we have purchased in recent years” – Minister Błaszczak said during the parade on Wisłostrada (Warsaw).
The head of the Ministry of National Defense reminded that strengthening the Polish Army – its modernization and increase in numbers would not be possible if it were not for the Homeland Defense Act. “At this point, I would like to express my special thanks to Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński. Thanks to your leadership, we introduced the Law on Defense of the Homeland, which is the foundation on which we build the strength of the Polish Army” – the head of the Ministry of National Defense said.
The issue of modernization in the context of the security of Poles was also highlighted by the President of the Republic of Poland A. Duda in his speech.
“The purpose of the great modernization of the Polish Army is to equip the Polish army and create such a defense system that no one would ever dare attack us, so that a Polish soldier would not have to fight (…) I want soldiers to be able to perform their service in the best conditions (…) We cannot afford to be idle today, so we are and will be strengthening our army here and now. The safety of Poles is priceless” – President Andrzej Duda said during the ceremony.
Encouraging everyone to celebrate, the head of the Ministry of National Defense reminded that several thousand soldiers guard the Polish border 24 hours a day.
We’re not just celebrating today. The Polish Army has been taking care of security at the border for a long time. It is prepared to constantly repel the hybrid attacks of the Russian and Belarusian regimes, recently reinforced by the presence of the so-called Wagner group. Every day, several thousand soldiers are on duty there, so that they are ready to respond adequately at any time. Let us applaud the soldiers who are currently serving on the Polish-Belarusian border. Immediately after the end of the ceremony, I will go to the soldiers at the border to personally give them wishes on the occasion of the Polish Army Day” – the head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized.
“Security is the foundation of a strong, just and prosperous state. Without the Polish Army, it is impossible to develop infrastructure, implement social programs or educate our children. A responsible state never gives up even an inch of its territory. We know this and we will never underestimate the task it sets before The Most Serene Republic of Poland. To the glory of the Homeland” – the head of the Ministry of National Defence said.
On August 15, the Polish Army Day is celebrated in Poland. On this occasion, this year in Warsaw, under the slogan Strong White and Red, a great parade was held. 200 units of Polish and foreign military equipment and 92 aircraft accompanied by 2,000 soldiers were presented. Foreign equipment included: M1A1 Abrams tanks bought from the US, K2 tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers bought from South Korea, HIMARS rocket launchers, Krab self-propelled howitzers, as well as Patriot air defense systems, part of the Polish “WISŁA” system. Among the equipment of Polish production were i.a. new Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, Rosomak armored personnel carriers and Rak self-propelled mortars, as well as Baobab-K mine-laying vehicles and Żmija light reconnaissance vehicles. The new FA-50 flew in the sky, as well as F-16 multi-role combat aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.
Together with Polish soldiers, allied troops were at the parade, e.g. from a battalion battle group stationed in Poland.
On August 15, military picnics were also held throughout Poland. One of them was prepared by the soldiers on the grounds of the National Stadium, where the second edition of the “5 with a soldier” run was also organized.
The run, as Minister M. Błaszczak, who met with the competitors, said, is a form of honoring those who defended the Republic of Poland in 1920, as well as an expression of respect for today’s soldiers who guard the country’s security.
At 12.00, the head of the Ministry of National Defense took part in a ceremonial guard briefing, which traditionally took place at noon at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Plac named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski in Warsaw. The minister also participated in the service held on that day for the Homeland in the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army.
Source: MON