From the devastation of the bloody First World War to the division by Hitler and Stalin during the Second World War, Poland has endured the scars of history.
The country has seen some of its worst bloodshed since repeated invasions, but is no longer a victim of past conflicts.
WITH Vladimir Putinthe meat grinder of war is raging just beyond the eastern border, Poland is now a “cornerstone” Europeprotection.
In the latest episode of “Superpowers Unmasked” defense analyst Simon Diggins rshows how a small European nation prepared to become the first line of defense in a potential war with Russia looms.
Watch the latest episode of Super Powers Revealed. Here
Poland has a long history of wars with Russia – stretching back hundreds of years to the time of Ivan the Terrible – and often visited front line protection Europe against Moscow.
It was not an independent state, but it was divided between the Russian, Austro-Hungarian and German empires, and its territories became a major battlefield.
In 1920, the country was credited with stopping the spread of communism in Europe when its armies turned on Trotsky in a battle known as the “Miracle on the Vistula.”
Less than 20 years later, the joint invasion of Poland by Stalin's Soviets and Hitler's Nazis marked the beginning of World War II, with the country occupied by the USSR until 1989.
So when Putin invaded Ukraine Last year, having declared that he had come to reclaim historic Russian lands, influential figures in Warsaw were under no illusions that they, too, were in danger.
Mr Diggins said that Poland Now NATOfront line against Russia.
“Without this, the West would be in a dangerous position,” he added.
Poland will inevitably become the first line of defense against any Russian aggression.
The site is crucial both symbolically and strategically: it is where World War III would most likely begin if Russia attacked the West.
Mr Diggins said: “This is an absolutely cutting-edge state.
“It is located on the NATO border. It is located between Belarus and Kaliningrad, which is a heavily armed Russian exclave in the Baltic.”
Given its geographical location, Poland had no choice but to rearm.
And this was possible thanks to a rapidly developing economy.
Mr Diggins explained that the country now has one of the largest armed forces in Europe – and is the third largest in NATO, second only to Türkiye and the USA.
He said: “Since joining European Union In 2004, Poland's economy grew at an average annual rate of 4 percent.
“The point is that Poland is getting richer and faster, and this money pours directly into tanks, planes and troops.
“A strong army and a strong economy mean that Poland will become, if not already, the strongest European power in NATO.”
With over 200,000 active military personnel, Poland army has six mechanized, tank and cavalry divisions – and continues to expand.
And they are now trained and equipped to NATO standards, as well as recent experience in hybrid warfare gained through NATO support. Ukraine.
But while Russia is much larger on paper, its forces are spread across a vast area, some 12 different time zones, and its best infantry units have suffered serious losses in Ukraine– said the expert.
“Russia relies heavily on conscripts with limited training, has difficulty with Moran logistics, and will take much longer to move reinforcements to the Polish border.”
He explained how Poland is seeking to improve its defense capabilities and military equipment.
“It's backed by the full weight of the NATO alliance. And all this while also sending supplies to Ukraine,” Mr. Diggins said.
“The speed and direction of Poland's rearmament are important. Along with the Baltic countries, Poland is the only country in Europe that is preparing for war with Russia on a question not of if, but when.”
Russia outnumbers Poland in military equipment, but its equipment is aging every day, and a serious qualitative leap is taking place.
Sophisticated military equipment
Meanwhile, Warsaw is rapidly modernizing its military equipment.
Warsaw recorded a deal to buy 250 American Abrams tanks and then increased the number to 336, with 116 to be delivered as soon as possible.
Diplomats then traveled halfway around the world to sign another deal for 1,000 K-2 tanks from Korea.
Once they arrive, Poland will become the largest tank force in Europe, possessing more armored vehicles than all other European NATO members combined.
Poland then requested 500 HIMARS systems from the US, since only a few long-range rocket artillery systems had caused damage to Russian forces in Ukraine.
When the American arms giant Lockheed Martin stated that it could only supply 200 of them, Warsaw again turned to Korea to make up the shortfall.
The Army ultimately purchased 288 K239 Chunmoo missile launchers from Seoul in addition to 18 HIMARS systems, including the ATACMS long-range missiles that Ukraine had requested but never received.
A further deal with Seoul will give Poland 48 FA-50 fighters in addition to the 32 next-generation F-35 stealth fighters it bought from America in 2020.
But the rising costs did not end there.
Poland sent a request to the United States for six new Patriot anti-aircraft batteries, and in September purchased 96 Apache attack helicopters.
“Poland is not retreating, it is going deeper,” Mr Diggin said.
“At the same time, he protects not only his own border, but also the border of the entire NATO. Moscow will ever cross this line, next a world war could start right here in Poland.”
Polish “wildcard”
Mr. Diggins said every country has a “wildcard,” a unique advantage that determines its strength.
“For Poland it’s speed,” said a military analyst.
The country is rearming faster than anyone in Europe, acting as if war could start next week.
Mr Diggins said: “Poland doesn’t just buy weapons, it produces them.
“The factories are producing tanks, missiles and ammunition at a rate that Europe has not seen for decades in preparation for war.
“Not because he wants it. story taught him what happens to a country that is weak or divided.
“This sense of identity, forged through invasion and survival, drives everything he does.”
