Disabled military ranges will work again

"The actions related to the restoration of weapon ranges are part of our wider strategy to strengthen the defence capacity of the state. They arise straight from the current safety situation and the request to supply appropriate training conditions for the Polish Army. The shooting ranges stay under the authority of the Ministry of National Defence, which is why I initiate actions that will let for their gradual restoration into operation," said Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

In the course of the work carried out, premises excluded from the usage of decisions of building supervisors, environmental protection authorities, military unit commanders or infrastructure managers shall be identified. For each of them, the scope of the essential modernisation and refurbishment work shall be determined to let re-use in the training process.

The reason for closing most of the presently unused shooting ranges was the provisions of the earlier regulation concerning method conditions of shooting ranges (Journal of Laws 2001 No. 132, item 1479). After the repeal of these regulations and the entry into force of the fresh Regulation of the Minister of National Defence of 31 August 2023 on method conditions for non-building buildings serving the defence of the state (Journal of Laws 2025 item 1916), the requirements concerning protection zones were met.

"New regulations have created an chance to resume the operation of many military weapon ranges which, despite training potential, could not be used. Thanks to legislative changes, we can return to these facilities present and gradually reconstruct them to the strategy of training of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland" - emphasised Secretary of State at MON Cezary Tomczyk.

Where the current method condition of the infrastructure allows this, actions are besides carried out to let the resumption of shooting training to a limited extent, e.g. at shorter distances (shooting up to 25 m) or without the usage of combat ammunition. "The restoration of the training infrastructure is crucial to guarantee appropriate conditions for training soldiers and further strengthening the state's defence capacity. An efficient and safe training base is 1 of the foundations for building the military capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces," said Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, General Wiesław Kukuła.

Before the entry into force of the fresh regulations – regulations of 2023 and the Act of 25 July 2025 on peculiar rules for preparing and implementing strategical investments in the field of defence needs of the state (Journal of Laws 2025 item 1080 as amended) – investing in closed facilities was economically unjustified. Even after improving their method condition, they could not be restored to service due to the legal restrictions in force at the time, including protection zones and permissible sound standards.

Currently, there is besides a planned analysis of shooting ranges excluded from usage due to exceeding permissible sound levels. Its results will let to identify another group of operational facilities based on the current provisions of the alleged investment specification.

The Ministry besides provides for the “Guidelines on the design, construction and execution of fixed and casual shooting sites”, which will harmonise the standards for investment implementation in this area.

The actions taken are aimed at rebuilding and developing the training infrastructure of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, ensuring user safety and creating a unchangeable legal and organisational basis for the long-term strengthening of state defence capabilities.

Text: Colonel Marek Pietrzak/ SGWP