Modern technologies specified as drones, laser simulators and reconnaissance systems are increasingly utilized in training, allowing more effective preparation of soldiers. At the same time, the number of national exercises has increased by 15% over the last 2 years – says General Dyw. Piotr Kriese, Training Inspector at the General Command of Armed Forces.
It's been going on for a fewer years. Russian-Ukrainian War it changed its view of what future major military conflicts might look like with conventional forces. How did the experience of our neighbours influence military training in Poland?
Military training evolves in consequence to the experience of fresh armed conflicts, but besides due to the changing geopolitical environment and new technologies. The conflict in Ukraine shows how crucial it is to be able to operate in urbanised areas. Hence, expanding emphasis is placed on training and urban combat tactics. As for fresh equipment – although drones have already been utilized in erstwhile conflicts – Ukraine has full demonstrated how the usage of them as reconnaissance systems and autonomous combat platforms changes the way of conducting combat, allowing, among another things, better designation of the site, precise strikes and minimising the hazard of own losses. There is besides a strong emphasis on mobility and maneuverability. The fast movement of units, both land and air, is crucial for an effective consequence to threats, and this is included in training. It should be remembered that modern conflicts are frequently hybrid, combining conventional military activities with cyber attacks, misinformation and irregular activities. Therefore, the military must be prepared to respond to specified threats as well.
In the face of war just beyond our borders, the strength of training increases. How many exercises have been done in fresh years?
Between 2022 and 2024, the number of national exercises increased by 15%, which is straight related to creating fresh units and expanding the number of Polish Armed Forces, as well as the introduction of fresh equipment and weapons. This allows the assembly of divisions and branches and command. At the same time, the Polish Army is increasingly active in organizing and conducting exercises internationally, which allows for better coordination, exchange of experience and increased interoperability between NATO allies. The number of global exercises in which individuals straight subordinate to the commander-in-chief of the general armed forces are presently at a steady level of about 90 per year. In fresh years, fundamental changes have been about the composition and size of the training groups, as well as the tasks and level of engagement of the Polish component. Exercises have besides become more complex and the regulation is to affect many levels of command, besides created 2nd Polish Corps. possibly the best example is “Dragon”. This year, about 20,000 soldiers participated, including more than 4,000 allies, mainly from the NATO advanced Reading Joint Task Force (VJTF).
What were the most crucial elements of the exercise ‘Dragon 2024’?
This year we were practicing the transition from crisis to war. Among many episodes worth paying attention to was, in my opinion, the tactical march of the Allied Group in the strength of the division by the territory of Poland with the overcoming of large water obstacles. So far, we have not organized exercises combining so many elements. "Dragon" is besides a good example of how the border between national and global exercises is blurred.
You mentioned earlier that we are expanding the emphasis on preparing soldiers for urbanised activities. What is the nature of specified training?
They let a realistic representation of the conditions that soldiers can meet in urban combat. They learn to decision in tight spaces, fight in buildings and decision between them. This increases their tactical skills and prepares to clash in hard conditions, and those in urbanized areas are demanding both physically and mentally. Training thus helps soldiers make immunity and ability to act under pressure, as well as the ability to cooperate between different individuals. They learn to communicate and interact effectively, which is crucial in urban combat operations. Modern technologies specified as drones, laser simulators and reconnaissance systems are increasingly utilized in training, allowing more effective preparation of soldiers.
In addition to combat training in built-up areas, do we prepare soldiers for positioning activities, utilizing field fortifications that are average in the Russian-Ukrainian War? An example is the fierce fighting around the strategically located town of Awdijiwka.
Of course, Polish soldiers should be trained comprehensively, besides in terms of activities in the heaviest weather and field conditions, that is, the “foil war”. They besides request to be mentally prepared to lead for weeks in tremendous stress a persistent defence in which there are many victims, as well as delays and even conflict in the lap. All of this should service to gain an advantage over the opponent and to make conditions for counter-attacking or counter-attacking.
What effect does the introduction of fresh weapons systems have on training?
New technologies and weapon systems entering the HR require the updating of existing training programmes. Here, it is crucial that a training package including simulators and advanced training technologies be included erstwhile signing contracts for their purchase, which allows for exercises in a safe environment, at lower costs, but with maximum realism.
Military armaments and vehicles are equipped with electronic systems that give users fresh opportunities, while at the same time becoming more complex. They so require advanced specialist training for operators, organised both at home and abroad. The fresh weapons systems besides change the military's actions to date, which must besides be taken into account in training.
One of the fresh training initiatives is the HIMARS Academy. What are the results?
Academy in Toruń [HIMARS Academy – Center of Excellence] trains, educates, develops soldiers and commanders of rocket troops and ensures the creation of rocket troops capable of supporting another troops in the combined and multinational operations spectrum. For method protection of systems HIMARS In the SZRP and another Central European countries, the academy will let the creation of logistics facilities and yet spare parts warehouses for their needs. It will besides contribute to the improvement of technological possible that can make a crucial contribution in the future to the improvement of rocket systems.
What, in turn, is the training of the personnel of the Abrams tanks?
W Abrams Academy [Abrams Tank Training Academy] innovative is the training strategy and planning its security, another than in the Polish army. Americans train tank crews in the strategy 1 teacher plus 1 crew and 1 tank. The same applies to method personnel. The training squad shall cooperate closely with the method squad liable for the efficiency of the equipment used. As 100% of vehicles are not utilized at the same time, a adequate number of tanks are subject to planned maintenance and repair, and any of them undergo unplanned repairs. This gives the chance to implement training without disruption due to the deficiency of efficient equipment. The training method utilized at Abrams Academy limits the number of people taking part in 1 course edition, but on the another hand provides comfort to the trainee and the trainee, due to the fact that it allows to make links between them.
I'll ask you what the training of crews and ground crews will look like. AH-64 impact helicopters?
It is now crucial to train personnel to safe the mark operation of helicopters AH-64D as part of the bridge solution adopted. The basic criterion for participation is English cognition confirmed by an examination at the U.S. embassy of at least 70% for engineering and flight personnel and 80% for flying personnel. Consequently, the 1st WL Aviation Brigade intensified language courses. For participants, further language training is provided for 9 weeks at the Lackland base in San Antonio, followed by specialist ground handling in Fort Eustis and crews at Fort Novosel. In turn, applicable training on AH-64D helicopters will be organised in the 56th Air Base with the support of separate service groups from the US. This training programme will let the creation of a service team, essential to safe the operations of AH-64D helicopters, as well as the preparation of personnel, which in the future will constitute, among others, a teaching staff capable of carrying out training on a fresh chopper platform.
The armed forces are being expanded. Is there going to be a polygonal base?
This trial is already ongoing. In view of the provisions of the ‘SZRP Strengthening Package for the period 2023-2025’ on infrastructure improvement in the DGRSZ, work is being carried out to re-create a number of training courses. On 4 April 2023, the commander-in-chief approved the concept of establishing a Divisional Police Training Centre in Muszaki for the 16th Mechanized Division, which will be a tactical-fire ground for subdivisions of tanks, mechanized, motorized, aerodynamic, artillery, anti-aircraft and reconnaissance defense. In turn, according to the concept of forming the 1st Legion Infantry Division approved by the Minister of National Defense, it is planned to get additional areas for fresh divisional training centers in Red Bora and Vow. For the purposes of the 8th National Army Infantry Division, it is planned to recreate the Raduch camp. At the same time, the 18th Mechanized Division intends to establish garrison training centres in Biała Podlaska and Świdnik. In addition, work is being carried out in DGRSZ to increase the capacity of existing facilities. It is highly crucial to get areas of fire stations for long distance shooting. The current capabilities of our ranges let us to carry out combat shootings up to 40 km, which makes it impossible to check the flight way of a rocket with greater sensitivity. most likely shooting at longer distances will be possible in the coastal runway. Work on this task is already very advanced.
What is our infrastructure for urban training?
Currently we have 2 urban centres. The latest was commissioned in 2023 in Orzysz and consists of 18 training buildings. These are facilities with the anticipation of any arrangement of premises and command post. The centre allows shooting inside buildings with school-training and coloring ammunition, conducting high-level classes and utilizing a laser shooting simulator. Modern solutions were installed to combat smoke and make it look like different scenarios. Already in 2021, the concept of the improvement of the centre was developed and approved on the grounds of a camp in Hungary. In addition, 18 DZ applied to DGRSZ for approval to make an investment application for the construction of a tactical exercise belt in Biała Podlaska, which will feature several-story buildings allowing training of soldiers utilizing ASG and paintball and laser shooting simulator.
What is presently the availability of advanced trainers and simulators?
Currently, the training needs of the armed forces are not full met, but the situation is improving. Laser shooting simulators, designed to conduct classes to the maximum level of the company/battery, were installed on the Żagań, Orzysz, Wędrzyn and Nowa Dęba fields. Greater possibilities have a comprehensive combat field simulation strategy in Drawsk. It is simply a real simulation strategy designed for conducting exercises or tactical classes utilizing exercise ammunition by even a battalion combat group. The KSSPW enables training in a force-on-force strategy in which soldiers are divided into 2 sides, that is, in conditions akin to the real battlefield. This allows a detailed analysis of the decisions and actions taken. Another interesting training equipment is the tactical simulator of the modern battlefield for armored and mechanized troops. It is simply a simulation strategy implemented by computer programs involving people – decision-makers at the higher level. Until now, we are implementing it to 5 brigades, and from 2026 to 2027 the acquisition of 7 further STWPW is planned.
The hardware base is expanding, but will we have adequate training staff in view of the planned expansion of the armed forces?
Intensification of training and expansion of the army in the coming years is associated with the request to implement courses of candidates for officers by military education units – training centres. Support from higher education institutions is expected to contribute to a crucial increase in the number of junior officers over the next 2 to 3 years. The main intention of the changes is to get the most experienced candidates for officers from the Private and Petty Officer Corps. Another task in professional staff preparation will be pilot courses for sub-commissioners in the field of tactical and operational planning, which introduce a three-stage training model with excellent, specialised and linguistic courses. The aim of the changes is to make a sub-commissioned corps prepared to cover positions related to the planning of actions at tactical and operational level in sub-divisions, divisions, tactical unions and command of types of armed forces.
Staff for AH-64 are not our only soldiers trained abroad. How are the lessons learned from these trainings used?
Each training, including courses and exercises, shall be completed by participants in the report, which shall include conclusions and recommendations. Currently, in the Armed Forces of Poland, the central institution collecting all reports is the Doctrine and Training Centre. Following the approval of the superiors, proposals for changes are implemented in organizational cells or included in recently developed normative documents.
The most crucial lessons learned last year and this year translate into direct organisation of further exercises. These may not be revolutionary changes, alternatively evolutionary ones, mainly related to expanding realism, including the usage of the actual chain of command and the participation of subdivisions that will actually interact. Part of the proposals besides concern the operation and combat usage of equipment. We are besides taking advantage of the experience of allies to introduce beneficial solutions and destruct disadvantages.
W The General Command of the RSZ is the organisational cell liable for collecting and processing soldiers' applications is the Department for the usage of Experience.
What is the exchange of experience within NATO?
This is handled by a peculiar cell, the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC). The NATO-Ukraine Analysis, Training and Education Centre [NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre – JATEC] is being created in Bydgoszcz to facilitate common exchange of applications. In addition to the experience of fighting, we besides learn from the training process of Ukrainian soldiers. These observations have importantly influenced the training programmes of our reserves and specialist training.
It is known that intensively we cooperate in training with Ukrainian armed forces. How is this cooperation going?
It seems to any people that the collection of conclusions and experiences from the Russian-Ukrainian War began on February 24, 2022 and from that date they besides number on starting training aid for soldiers, subdivisions and troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Nothing more wrong. We have been doing this since 2014, erstwhile the first aggression of the Russian Federation took place on our neighbour. The conclusions and experiences provided by the Ukrainian side are taken into account in the process of training Polish soldiers, including by updating shooting programs, training programs of subdivisions and specialists, as well as tactical textbooks of various types of troops and methodical guides.
Since June 2016, we have started systematic training assistance for the SZ Ukraine within the Joint global Training Group – Ukraine (Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine – JMTG-U). It continued for Russian aggression in February 2022. For almost six years we sent respective 100 Polish instructors in many specialities from various Polish military units to Ukraine and trained respective 1000 Ukrainian officers, enlisted officers and soldiers. I think it can be said without undue modesty that it was thanks to the training of so many Ukrainians by instructors from Poland and another countries and to donations of arms that the Ukrainian army was not broken up in the first days of the war in 2022, and it became stronger all day and to this day it is effectively active against the Russian aggressor.
How did this training support for Ukraine change after the outbreak of a full-scale conflict with Russia?
After 24 February 2022 training aid for Ukraine was not stopped, but its implementation was transferred to the territory of the Republic of Poland and to another countries. At the same time, its methods and forms were partially changed. It happened fast.
The European Union has besides rushed Ukraine with financial and training aid since March 2022. In Poland, training is conducted through Combined Arms Training Command [CAT-C]. respective tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have already participated in nearly 400 different trainings in the Polish territory.
Gen. Dyw. Piotr Kriese is simply a training inspector at the General Command of Armed Forces Types. He was previously the Commandant of the Center for the Training of Land Forces and commander of the 20th Mechanized Brigade. He participated in the VI change of PKW Iraq and commanded the IX change of PKW RSM Afghanistan.
