Accession Number:

ADA429883

Title:

Polish Land Forces of the XXI Century - Reforms in Accordance with Current RMA Trends

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2004-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

159.0

Abstract:

The end of the Cold War and the September 11, 2001 attacks changed the strategic environment of the world. New socio-political realities have increased the use of armed forces. The War on Terror brought the necessity of expeditionary warfare even to countries whose security doctrine had been so far exclusively focused on territorial defense. Poland is one such country. Throughout Polish history, there have been no expeditionary operations. New requirements after 1999 generated the necessity for reforms in the Armed Forces of Poland. Since expeditionary warfare has never been practiced by the Polish Army before, the reform process needs to be strongly coordinated with such military forerunners of expeditionary forces as the U.S. Army. This thesis presents a study of contemporary war and its effects on force structure. It also shows how the U.S. Army has reacted to the changing character of warfare. Such reforms as the Stryker Brigades, Army XXI, and Army After Next are analyzed to assess which of these solutions can be applied to Polish Army reforms. The author then examines the Polish Land Forces of today, including defense reforms of the last decade of the 20th century, its present structure and capabilities, and the political and economic background of the Polish Army. Finally, the author makes recommendations for structural reforms in the Polish Army, including future requirements, expeditionary forces, and home defense forces.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

  • Military Forces and Organizations
  • Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


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