Poland Announces Major Overhaul of Belarus Border Military Operations.

According to Defence 24, Poland has announced a major overhaul of its border military operations. Starting August 1, the "Bezpieczne Podlasie" operation will replace the ongoing "Gryf" and "Rengaw" operations. This deployment will significantly increase the number of troops, from 6,000 to 17,000 soldiers. However, this increase does not mean that all these soldiers will be permanently stationed at the border with Belarus; 8,000 will be deployed there while the remaining 9,000 will stay in reserve, ready to respond within 48 hours if needed. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Poland has indicated the upcoming acquisition of 150 new armored vehicles, scheduled for 2025, which will be specifically used for border patrol. (Picture source: Polish Army)

This strategy allows for troop rotation without disrupting training processes and the family well-being of soldiers, while laying the groundwork for the accelerated creation of the Border Protection Component (KOP), whose establishment has been moved up by four years, aiming for full operationalization by 2028.

As part of this operation, particular emphasis is placed on upgrading the equipment of the forces stationed at the border. State Secretaries of the National Defense Ministry, Cezary Tomczyk and Paweł Bejda, have indicated the upcoming acquisition of 150 new armored vehicles, scheduled for 2025, which will be specifically used for border patrol.

In addition to these vehicles, significant investments are being made in equipment such as 7,200 bulletproof vests and the enhancement of reconnaissance capabilities, including through satellites and drones.

Alongside the "Bezpieczne Podlasie" operation, a major defensive infrastructure project, titled "Tarcza Wschód" (Shield of the East), is being launched. This project, estimated to cost at least 10 billion PLN, plans the construction of fortifications and other defensive infrastructures along the border.

The design of these structures is inspired by the best global practices, notably Finnish and South Korean, and aims to be rapidly deployable in the event of an imminent threat. The proximity of Polish companies to the border is seen as a strategic advantage, with these companies being favored in the awarding of construction contracts.

This initiative to modernize Poland's border defenses represents a robust strategic response to potential threats, particularly at the border with Belarus, integrating rapid response capabilities and technological enhancements to ensure the long-term security of the country's eastern border.