Talking Strategy S6E13: Transforming Poland's Military: General Rajmund Andrzejczak
Mar 10, 2026
General Rajmund Andrzejczak, former Chief of the General Staff of Poland and seasoned NATO/un peace operations leader, discusses Poland's rapid military transformation. He covers rebuilding state-on-state capabilities, multi-domain concepts including cyber and space, regional leadership responsibilities, recruitment and education challenges, and reopening debates on deterrence and posture in Europe.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Combat Experience Skewed Tactical Thinking
- Polish officers trained in Iraq and Afghanistan favoured counterinsurgency solutions even for conventional tactical problems.
- Rajmund Andrzejczak tested young officers with a conventional vignette in 2013–14 and they solved it using COIN methods, revealing an educational and doctrinal gap.
Presidential Warning In Afghanistan Proved Prescient
- The Polish president asked a colonel in Afghanistan about the Russia threat after visiting Georgia in 2008.
- Andrzejczak was surprised by the question and later saw the Crimea intervention, which validated the president's warning.
Start Transformation With A New Grand Strategy
- Develop a new grand strategy before buying equipment so forces have a clear political and regional role.
- Andrzejczak argues Poland's economy and threats demand revising strategy first, then defence plans and procurement.