I am very happy to be in Siedlce present on the occasion of putting almost the full command complex of the 18th Mechanized Division into service – said the Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a gathering with the Iron Division's command staff. More than a billion zlotys were allocated to the construction of seventeen buildings.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish during a visit to the 18th Mechanized Division in Siedlce, photograph by MON
– It is an extraordinary complex – prepared according to all NATO standards, having all safety certificates, and above all an example of the quality of service and diligence of performance – said the head of the MON in Siedlce today. The investment includes as many as seventeen facilities, which now full get functionality.
Credits to Artists
The Minister of Defence stressed the importance of efficient implementation of the project. – I am glad that all plans for division forming, logistics security, infrastructure expansion and adaptation and construction of fresh facilities are proceeding according to schedule. any have even been able to accelerate, and thanks to the well-run investment process we have reduced costs - which, in specified hard times of rising prices and limited availability of materials, is of large importance. Therefore, to all those liable for this investment – at the level of the division, the General Command of the Armed Forces and the NATO Investment Facility – I give my sincere thanks. I would like to shake hands with all those who have contributed to this success," Kosiniak-Kamish said. As he pointed out, over a billion zlotys were allocated to the construction of the complex.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish during a visit to the 18th Mechanized Division in Siedlce, photograph by MON
Iron Division Tested in Action
During the press conference, the head of the MON recalled the achievements of the 18th Mechanized Division. – This is simply a tactical relation that we can be arrogant of, which works in action. I will mention any of the most crucial projects she has carried out in fresh months. Soldiers of the 18th Mechanized Division service not only in Siedlce. This is simply a division covering 5 provinces: Mazowieckie, Lubline, Podkarpackie, Lesser Polande and Podlaskie – said Deputy Prime Minister and reminded that the division besides played a key function in the Operation “Safe Podlasie”, conducted on the Polish-Belarusian border. – For the first time, 1 tactical union took command and control of the full border belt. As of February 2026, the 18th Mechanized Division will return to the border with about 5,000 soldiers serving there permanently. Thank you for your commitment to safety activities, which led to the detention of about 500 people this year for assisting in illegal border crossings," the Minister of Defence addressed the soldiers. He besides thanked them for their participation in humanitarian and rescue operations specified as the Fenix. In its framework, more than 2.5 1000 military participated in flood prevention and reconstruction of the destroyed areas. – Your attitude is an expression of respect for the residents and proof that the Polish Army is always on the defender of citizens – he said.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish during a visit to the 18th Mechanized Division in Siedlce, photograph by MON
Investment in civilian protection and fresh shelters
Kosiniak-Kamysz besides stressed that improving the safety of residents, especially on the east flank of Poland, is 1 of the priorities of the ministry. “We created a civilian protection and civilian protection law,” he pointed out and recalled that for years there were no plans and programmes for the construction of shelters and shelters. Since the end of last year, a fresh bill has been in force, and MON has invested in defending the population on an unprecedented scale. “The Ministry of Defence budget includes PLN 5 billion annually for strategical investments that service both the military and civilian protection, including civilian defence infrastructure,” the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
The Minister mentioned the key actions: the introduction of provisions defining what shelters and shelters are, the work to include them in recently built buildings with multi-level underground parking lots, and the improvement of the Military-Friendly Hospitals programme, which already includes over a 100 facilities that can benefit from backing for the equipment and improvement of defence infrastructure. He pointed out that in 2025, MON focused on purchasing equipment, including generating units, transportation equipment, containers and smoke detectors. He announced that the next year would bring further investment and that the construction of shelters, which is simply a multiannual process, would be accelerated.
