In territorial defence troops, the Border defence Component is formed, which will strengthen the east flank of NATO. The fresh structure will form sixteen battalions from the 4 territorial defence brigades. Reorganization continues, WOT announces the formation of fresh sub-divisions for the component and, contrary to media reports, there are no plans to reduce staff.
Changes in territorial defence troops were announced a fewer months ago. In October 2025 Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish reported that the 1st Podlasie Territorial Defence Brigade, 4th Warmian-Masurian Territorial Defence Brigade, 19th Nadbuzhian Territorial Defence Brigade and 20th Territorial Defence Brigade would be part of the Border defence Component. “This is another step strengthening the east flank of NATO and the north-east border of Poland under the National Fear and Defence Programme “Tarcza East”, explained the Minister of Defence of the National Defence goal of organizational changes in the structures of territorial defence troops.
Recently, false information has appeared in the media about the alleged closure of 30 posts in the 43rd Border Defence Battalion in Braniewo, which is subject to the 4th Warmia-Masurian Brigade OT. The brigade is actually undergoing changes related to the formation of the Border defence Component, but this does not mean that the ranks of the unit are depleted. According to her press team, 1 of the elements of the creation of the COP is the reshaping of the brigades, consisting of light infantry battalions, in the border defence brigade and adapting the structures of these units to the changed tasks. The reorganisation will include positions for professional soldiers and soldiers of territorial military service (TSW). However, after completion of the transformation and allocation of subdivisions, all professional soldiers and TSW soldiers are guaranteed places of service in the home brigades.
Tomasz Sielecki, Mayor of Braniewa, who spoke to the staff, besides referred to the issues of alleged dismissals in the creation of the COP. – All battalion soldiers of the 4th OT Brigade will be utilized in existing battalions or another military units in the same towns. (...) In the case of Braniew, we are talking about about about 15 soldiers to whom another places of service will be presented. WOT Battalion in Morąg declared the anticipation of accepting soldiers even to higher positions, and the commander 9 Braniewska Cavalry Brigade Armoured confirmed the readiness to accept all soldiers who would not choose to change the garrison or take office in Morąg – said Mayor Braniev after talks with WOT commanders and 9 BKPanc.
4 Warmian-Masurian BOT will be full included in the COP. 2 of the 5 battalions of this brigade are already battalions of border defence (the another 3 inactive function as battalions of light infantry). The 1st Podlasie OT Brigade will besides be included in the COP in its entirety, which is besides now composed of 2 battalions of border defence and 3 light infantry (change of their structure is due to take place this year). Both the 19th Nadbuzhany OT Brigade and the 20th Przemysl OT Brigade, which will be the next pillars of the COP, consist of 3 battalions of border defender and logistics battalion.
The conversion of the 4 OT brigades into a border defence brigade besides means the creation of fresh sub-divisions: logistics battalions (in Warmian-Masurian and Podlasie), sub-divisions of unmanned weapons systems and dealing with combating unmanned aircraft. In the Podlasie brigade there will besides be incremental printing laboratory (3D) allowing the construction and manufacture of drones, but ultimately, in each branch of the COP, specified a cell is to function.
The Border defence Component is expected to accomplish first operational readiness on January 1, 2028.
