Yes they need to because it's only fools who think without strong defence they can live in peace. Every fool who thought same has ended up in getting hunted by his enemy in most ruthless manner. Yes economy is of great importance but it's can't be built when you are under attack from your enemy and getting bombed.
As @Technogaianist already explaimed the Poles have enough manpower. They are part of NATO. Their defence lies within the larger NATO club. USA would never allow Poland to be overran by Russians. That is why NATO, US Army, British Army, French Army, Canadian Army, Germany Army, Dutch Army, Norweigian Army, Spanish Army, Italian Army, Turkish Army and the list goes on have elements within the NATO architecture to blunt any Russian threat.
.
Which Subs, details please.The Polish Navy submarine fleet.
No they don't. What Poland needs is more modern equipment and to be better able to cooperate with allied nations. Poland can't match Russia and no matter how much manpower it throws into its armed forces it still wont. It makes up for this manpower shortage by being integrated into both NATO and the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.
Modern equipment like NSM, Type 2XX, Leopard 2, JASSM-ER, F-35, P-3C or P-8 - they all allow Poland to better and more seamlessly integrate, cooperate and support allied elements. NATO doesn't fight alone and Poland (and most of Europe) bases its defense around this. These items in particular which Poland is exploring or purchased also help by lessening Poland's reliance on Russian equipment like T-72, MiG-29 and Kilo, which can be a supply problem and lessen NATO's ability to cooperate with those assets due to unfamiliarity or incompatibility.
Should NATO falter or disintegrate the EU's Army will be stood up to take its place. There's already a plan for that contingency in place in case that happens in both the EU and Poland and European defense will match on without missing a step. The US isn't going anywhere either.
No apology need, it's a welcome discussion and explanation and you're spot on
Yup. I was part of a team sent to Poland on a Norwegian-led NATO rotation. I have first hand experience in dealing with Polish forces and experiencing their levels of cooperation and integration in the overall NATO command.
Norway also has assets such as NASAMS currently deployed in Poland, so it's not as if NATO is leaving Poland out to dry. There's a reason their procurement follows the path it does and a reason they aren't increasing the size of their military to exorbitant levels and that reason is because NATO has shown it's ready and willing to put its money where its mouth is and protect Poland and other Baltic and East European states.
@Penguin Please note, if not already in your database.The Polish Navy has five submarines. The Kilo is ORP Orzeł. It joined the Polish fleet in 1986 and serves with the Polish 3rd Flottila. As Kilo class submarines go they're very standard.
The other four submarines are ORP Kondor (Kunna), ORP Sęp (Skolpen), ORP Sokół (Stord) and ORP Bielik (Svenner). The name in parenthesis isn't their name translated into another language, it's their name when they were still in the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The ships are Kobben Class Submarines (replaced by Ula in Norwegian service, and in turn are being replaced). The Kobben was also tranfered to the Royal Danish Navy where they are now out of service. The class is also known as Type 207.
As far as submarines go they are small and quiet at just 47 meters in length and displacing 485 tons submerged. They have eight 553 torpedo tubes and can accommodate external and internal mines. They can't accommodate modern torpedoes and as a result are left with 1960s era models like Mark 37:
The Kobben class is both slow and low on endurance, with a max speed of 18kn and range of 4200nmi, half of what an Ula can do. But given Poland's territorial and regional waters, this is fine for a wait and watch or ambush operation. They have limited ability to support allied operations outside of the Baltic and North Seas, but if refueled can make extended patrols in the Mediterranean as well.
While still serviceable they are getting very old as the first ship of the class - S315 Kaura - was commissioned in 1965 (While the lead ship of the class Kaura was actually delayed one year). The Polish boats were commissioned between 1964 and 1967, but until 2001 served with the Royal Norwegian Navy (transfer to Poland in 2002 and 2003).
Poland is exploring a joint build/buy with the Royal Norwegian Navy to replace each nation's Ula and Kobben class submarines respectively. So far no details are known publically about that plan or if Norway will consent to Poland joining their tender.
Poland attempts 212A acquisition?
.
!!
