Poland launches new military structure

Poland officially launched the General Command of All Armed Forces on Thursday. The new structure has replaced separate commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Special Forces.



At the launch ceremony, Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak praised the new structure. "I believe it is one of the milestones of our defence, (...) after introducing in 2001 the principle of earmarking 1.95 percent of Poland's GDP for defence and abolishing conscription," he argued.

"We have created a good, flexible structure which should be a comprehensive response to the threats to Poland's security. The introduction of the reform proved to be very efficient," Minister Siemoniak stressed.

The minister was accompanied by head of Poland's National Security Office (BBN) Stanislaw Koziej, chief of staff General Mieczyslaw Gocul, General Commander of All Armed Forces General Lech Majewski and Operational Commander of All Armed Forces General Marek Tomaszycki.

Speaking of Poland's defence plans for 2014, the defence minister said it would be the second year of implementing the 10-year technical modernisation plan and the year of concluding the ISAF Afghan mission.

A military command reform initiated by the president places the land, air, naval and Special Forces under the General Command of All Armed Forces in peacetime and the Operational Command of All Armed Forces in crisis or war. All armed force types will be represented by inspectorates in the General Command. The new law also changes the role of the General Staff, which will now focus on strategic planning and advising the defence minister, prime minister and president.

(PAP)