Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak will present the concept for the creation of the 1st Legion Infantry Division on Monday 9 January 2023 during a visit to the 18th Reconnaissance Regiment in Białystok.

In October 2022 in Ciechanów, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced the creation of a new tank battalion, which will be part of the newly formed division. The division’s headquarters will also be located in this area.

Conclusions from exercises and simulations led to the decision to form the division, which will be similar in structure to the 16th and 18th Mechanised Divisions that are already in operation. The new division will be equipped with the best military equipment that the Polish Army already has at its disposal and will soon be acquired. This will enable it to deter a potential aggressor more effectively and prepare a more effective defence in the case of an attack. The name of the new division refers to the historical tactical unit, which recorded the longest struggle for Poland’s independence during World War I and World War II.

The new division will be equipped with K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, a Langusta launcher and a Rak mortar.

The creation of the fifth division of the Land Forces will mean that the first line of defence on Poland’s eastern borders will be the 16th Mechanised Division with its command in Olsztyn, the 1st Legion Infantry Division with its command in Ciechanów and the 18th Mechanised Division with its command in Siedlce.

It should be recalled that there are currently 164,000 people under arms in Poland. Ultimately, 300,000 people are to serve in the Polish Army.

This year, Poland has allocated PLN 97 billion, or 3% of GDP, for defence.

Adrian Andrzejewski