Name: Poland ramps up civilian defense training
Uploaded: 2025-11-23T02:37:53.051Z
Duration: 2 min 30 s
Description: The Polish government has launched a nationwide program offering weekend military training for civilians. DW reporter Tessa Walther travelled to Warsaw to see what the training looks like.

The Polish government has launched a nationwide program offering weekend military training for civilians. DW reporter Tessa Walther travelled to Warsaw to see what the training looks like.

Warsaw

Poland has launched a nationwide initiative to provide free civilian military training, focusing on practical skills such as fire extinguishing, gas mask use, and navigation. On a recent Saturday, officials reported that around 11,000 people participated in these sessions across the country, reflecting heightened security concerns since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Polish government has increased defense spending to over four percent of GDP and hopes the training will foster a culture of preparedness and potentially encourage military enlistment. The goal is to train 400,000 citizens by 2027, with officials emphasizing that civilian readiness is seen as a key element in preserving peace.

Poland ramps up civilian defense training

Saturday mornings usually mean family time for Ursula. But today, the 44-year-old is learning how to extinguish a large fire. She is one of around 60 people taking part in a civilian military training course outside of Warsaw, part of Poland's push to prepare ordinary people for war. I came because of the dangerous situation in Europe and the world. I want to feel safer and I want to know how to protect my family if something bad happens. The courses focus on practical skills, putting on a gas mask, navigating rough terrain or starting a fire without a lighter. They are free and offered across the country. And on this Saturday alone, officials say they are training around 11,000 people all over Poland. Participants and military officials agree that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, peace can no longer be taken for granted. But could these one-day training sessions really make a difference in the case of war? It's definitely a game-changer because so far, the majority of these people, they've never been exposed to that kind of knowledge. So definitely yes, but this will build also culture and mentality of being prepared. In recent years, Poland has invested heavily in its armed forces. Its defence spending now exceeds four percent of its GDP and with that, the country invests more than any other NATO member relative to its economy. Its army is over 200,000 soldiers strong and with these military trainings for civilians here on the ground, it wants to take its ambitions a step further. Beyond teaching basic survival and defence, the government also hopes the training might spark interest in joining the military. Participants who enjoy the courses can continue and eventually enlist in the reserves. Ursula says she doesn't want to take that path. But she still feels the training matters. I hope I'll never have to use anything I learn today, but it's better to know these things in case something happens here in Poland or anywhere in Europe. More sessions are planned in the coming months. The goal is to train some 400,000 people by 2027. Poland believes that preparing its citizens for potential war is the best way to preserve peace.

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