Territorial Defense Forces Research Articles

Formowanie Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej

Development of Territorial Defence Forces Territorial Defence Forces TDF began their official activity on 1 January 2017. They are the fifth single service in the Polish Armed Forces next to Lang Forces, Air Force, Navy and Special Operations Forces. It has been established that the organization of TDF is going to be strictly related to the currently existing ad­ministrative division of the country, giving a total of 17 brigades. Ultimately, there are to be 53,000 soldiers within the ranks. In times of peace TDF should mainly be ready to execute crisis management activities, in times of war TDF should support regular Polish Army Forces in terms of direct warfare.

Analiza działań informacyjnych i promocji Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej w mediach społecznościowych i na stronie WWW

On January 1, 2017, the act that introduced the Territorial Defense Force as one of the types of the Polish Armed Forces entered into force. The aim of the paper is to analyze informational and promotional activities of Territorial Defense Forces, which have a direct impact on the perception of formation in the national environment and potential soldiers of territorial military service. The report analyzes the information and promotional activities posted on the official website of the Military Territorial Defense (terytorialsi.wp.mil.pl) and on the official profiles of the Military Territorial Defense in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube). The effect of the analysis of information materials and the forms of their transmission is the conclusion that the website and information activities, in particular on the Military Territorial Defense Facebook account, have been designed and made with the utmost care. The ways of presenting information and promotion of the Territorial Defense Forces are in line with modern trends in this field.

The security of critical infrastructure in the concept of the Territorial Defence Force of the Republic of Poland

Nowadays, humanity has become dependent on the devices and systems which form part of everyday life. This relation was made clear by the terrorist attacks in New York, Madrid and London. The attacks resulted not only in human casualties and damage to infrastructure, but also made people aware of the close relations between the damage and the effective operation of the rescuers. This gave rise to the need to face the problem of protecting the infrastructure which is important for the security of the state and its citizens. At the same time, the issue of threats to critical infrastructure has started to emerge more and more in the literature devoted to internal security and stopped being associated solely with military concepts. In Poland, the notion of ‘critical infrastructure’ first started to appear in government documents and literature in 2007 after the introduction of the Crisis Management Act. The legislator specifies in the document the conceptual range of critical infrastructure which is closely related to the functioning of facilities, devices, and installations relevant for the security of the state and citizens. The following systems were regarded as critical infrastructures: the energy and fuel, communications and ICT, transport, rescue, financial, food and water supply, and healthcare systems, and also the one related to chemical and radioactive substances. This paper is an attempt at characterising the defence of critical infrastructure in Poland and the possibilities of preventing threats to important state security systems in the context of the establishment of the Territorial Defence Force.

TACTICAL DETERMINANTS OF A2/AD OPERATIONS

The paper presents a concise and thorough insight into the problem of overcoming potential Russian anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) operations, which may pose a major threat to Poland’s security. The geopolitical situation in the region is seriously determined by the Kremlin’s Foreign policy, which is aimed at restoring Russian dominance over its neighbouring countries and disrupting political and military cohesion of NATO. Against this background it seems essential for Poland to develop its modern Armed Forces, which being based on the Land Forces and the Territorial Defence Forces, could be effectively employed against potential military threats.

Territorial Defence Forces in Non-Military Emergencies

The article focuses on crucial questions concerning the Territorial Defence Forces. It demonstrates reasons for creating them as a branch of the armed forces. Alongside some aspects of this formation’s history, key solutions implemented by other nations are shown. The major part of the article is a specification of potential tasks of the Territorial Defence Forces in non-military emergencies — crisis situations. Key tasks are presented with an emphasis on the uniqueness of each single crisis.

Territorial Defence Forces – Determinants and Challenges

The article highlights the fact since 2017 the Territorial Defence Forces (TDF) have been a new branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. It demonstrates that this formation has to be ready to achieve its tasks both during a military conflict (war) and in coping with non-military contingencies. The ‘Territorials’ are soldiers prepared to perform varied tasks utilizing their knowledge of the local terrain, with aid of the local authorities and communities. In giving the TDF their final form, a number of analyses as well as scientifically- based forecasting must be made. Conclusive decisions can only be taken bearing in mind that conditions and potential working environments will be undergoing constant changes.

Аналіз і шляхи удосконалення територіальної оборони України

The article suggests some ways to improve the territorial defense system ofUkraine, determined on the basis of analyzing the effectiveness of the existing system and studying the experience of other countries of the world. The continuation of the hybrid war on theterritoryofUkraine, as well as the constant buildup of the forces of the aggressor at the borders of the state, requires an adequate response to strengthen the state’s defense system. The territorial defense system plays an important role in this. It can provide solutions to many defense tasks and requires significantly less expenses than the use of regular military formations. The article analyzes the existing legal and regulatory acts that govern the organization and conduct of territorial defense. The analysis shows that they remain unfulfilled in full, which greatly complicates the work of the entire system of territorial defense as a whole. Article 18 “Territorial defense of Ukraine” of the Law of Ukraine “On Defense of Ukraine” does not fully implement the requirements regarding the definition of powers and the organization of interaction, which does not allow the subjects participating in territorial defense to realize their full potential. The article provides recommendations for further improving the regulatory framework. The path of increasing defense capability by deploying the territorial defense system was chosen by most countries of the world. The problem of improving the recruitment of territorial defense units is solved in various ways. A comparative analysis of the organization of the recruitment of personnel of the territorial defense system in various countries of the world suggests that Ukraine uses the low-cost, but also the least effective way of recruiting territorial defense units, which does not allow to achieve the required level of personnel training. Prepared proposals for improving the system of manning of the territorial defense forces of Ukraine, carrying out activities at the state level, contributing to improving the quality of selection of personnel.

The Territorial Defence Force in Disaster Response in Poland: Civil-Military Collaboration during a State of Emergency

The functioning of the “territorial army” of Poland is described in military history alongside that of the regular active combat troops. The main aim in creating “territorial troops” was to strengthen the state’s defence system. In countries with relatively long traditions concerning such troops, they now constitute an important link in the state’s defence system, counting close to the regular operational forces. Their purpose, and thus the goals and tasks set for them, depend on the specific needs related to the security of a given state, and are adequate in addressing the occurrence of possible threats. Given international guidelines for the proper use of the military in natural disasters and the rapidly changing landscape required for emergency assistance, Poland has recreated disaster-related operations of the existing Territorial Defence Force, now under the designated Territorial Defence Force, which will be limited to the territory of the country and largely focused on cooperation with the civilian sector. This article is written for two major reasons: One to both present the conditions and possibilities of cooperation between the Territorial Defence Force and public administration in the event of a natural disaster within Poland, and two to foster shared guidance and feedback from countries undergoing similar advancements. This is especially crucial in recognition that natural disasters are increasingly impacted by cross-border factors such as climate extremes, biodiversity losses, rapid and often unsustainable urban population growth, refugee migrations, growing scarcities of water, energy and food, and increasing risks of internal conflict all of which place increasing demands on Poland and its neighbors to begin a larger dialogue of cooperation.

Utilization of the territorial defense force in rescue operations (part 2)

This is a second part of the article in which the authors attempt to present the courses of action of the Territorial Defence Forces’ subunits in the conditions requiring the support of state and territorial administrations when life of residents is jeopardized as a result of catastrophes and natural disasters. This is one of the key tasks faced by the newly established Territorial Defence Forces (WOT) that is the protection of people and property within the activities unrelated to the kinetic impact of potential enemies.

The Territorial Defence Force as an Element of the National Security System

The purpose of this article is to present the basic determinants as regards the use of the Territorial Defence Force (TDF) in the national defence system. The article focuses on issues related to security and defence as well as their impact on national security, and indicates the need to establish territorial forces in order to increase military potential in any country. What is more, it describes basic tasks which TDF can perform during individual stages of armed operations. Particular attention is paid to the fulfilment of the tasks by TDF as regards purely army-related activities, both military and non-military. It is indicated that TDF is a military formation that fills the gap as regards the security of a given area or territory, and that it can supplement the operational forces, thus constituting a vital element of the national defence system.

Territorial Defence Facing the Challenge of Hybrid Warfare

The course of present armed conflicts indicates the use of different instruments of power, whose major purpose is to gain control over the society and then exploit its resources. The nomenclature mentions hybrid warfare more and more frequently while seeking effective countermeasures against it. This topic is related to the creation of a new structure in the Polish Army – the Territorial Defence Force. The article presents the determinants conditioning the creation of the discussed formation and its assigned tasks. It analyses the expected objectives of the Territorial Defence Force as regards the adopted organisational structure, capability to perform its tasks and the established recruitment and training system. The article focuses in particular on countering tools of attack used in hybrid actions. The author refers to the course of events during modern asymmetric armed conflicts, for example in eastern Ukraine. Methods used by a potential enemy and the possible countermeasures exercised by the Territorial Defence Force are taken into consideration. The conclusions include an assessment of the importance of the new formation for Polish national security and defence.

The Role and Tasks of the Territorial Defence Force in the National Security System

The detachments of Territorial Defence Force (TDF, Polish: Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej) are an important element in the new structure of the Polish Army. The article presents the challenges the Territorial Defence Force, a new branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, are currently facing. The author discusses the origin of TDF as well as the basic normative and legal documents that specify the role and tasks of TDF in the national security system. The principles of recruitment to TDF, the basic criteria laid down for candidates for service and a timeline of TDF development in 2016–2019 are described. Particular attention is paid to the cooperation between TDF and operational forces in case of an armed conflict, which poses a serious challenge to the new type of armed forces. Additionally, research suggests that the range of tasks assigned to TDF indicates their significant role within the crisis management system. This requires the TDF command to work closely with public administration and to gain trust and esteem in local communities in the regions of their operation.

Developing Competences and Attitudes among Territorial Defence Personnel

This article presents aspects of developing the competences of the soldiers of Territorial Defence Forces (TDF) – albeit, due to the vastness of the subject matter, it only partially explores this topic. Particular attention has been paid to the wide spectrum of the competences of a Territorial Defence officer who performs the roles of a commander-educator and instructor, but the competences of the subordinate – a private soldier of this service of the Armed Forces have also been discussed. Additionally, this article indicates rather important aspects of forming soldiers’ personalities and, in consequence, also their attitudes (civic, patriotic, national defence-oriented etc.) which combine to form their professional-personal characteristics.

Protection against weapons of mass destruction. Technical and functional solutions for sub-units of the Territorial Defense Forces — collective protection

This material characterises the defense against weapons of mass destruction, as a system of security forces in case of risks of contamination (infections) in functional and performance-oriented terms. The basic technical equipment of the troops of the Polish Armed Forces is presented. It can be divided into the equipment and resources to identify contamination, protection against contamination, and decontamination. Keywords: defense against weapons of mass destruction, equipment for protection against contamination

Defence against weapons of mass destruction. Technical and functional solutions in personal protection for Territorial Defence Forces

The paper characterises methods of defence for use against weapons of mass destruction, as a form of troop protection system in the event of a contamination (infection) hazard from both the functional and the task-oriented perspective. The basic equipment of troops are described, taking into account the classification of equipment and the means used for: identification of the contamination, protection from the contamination, and the elimination of the contamination in terms of personal protection. Keywords: protection against weapons of mass destruction, equipment, personal protection of soldiers

Air defence in a specific environment of the Suwalki isthmus

In the presented article the author desires to study requirements for the air defence subunits in the forest-lake environment of the Suwalki isthmus. For that purpose the author underlined the importance of a presented region , Identified specifics of the isthmus, made a terrain analysis and defined the requirements of the air defence subunits operating in that area. The submitted Proposals learnt from the research indicato the need of use of the so - called light air Demence in order to provide efficient defence for ces and critical infrastructure of the region. The author also takes into account the origin and presence of the Territorial Defence Forces air defence elements, drawing also attention on their place in the entire air defence system of the area and emphasizing the importance of the suitable armament selection for the newly formed air defence subunits of the Territorial Defence Forces (TDFs).

UTILIZATION OF THE TERRITORIAL DEFENCE FORCES IN RESCUE OPERATIONS PART 1

The authors attempt to present in the article the courses of action of the Territorial Defence Forces’ subunits in the conditions requiring the support of state and territorial administrations when life of residents is jeopardized as a result of catastrophes and natural disasters. This is one of the key tasks faced by the newly established Territorial Defence Forces (WOT) that is the protection of people and property within the activities unrelated to the kinetic impact of potential enemies.

THE PROCESS OF PLANNING THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICERS TO THE MILITARY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WITH THE CONSIDERATION OF THE NEEDS OF THE POLISH ARMED FORCES

One of the activities of the Ministry of National Defense is concern for the quality of education and the number of officers who annually enters the service in military units. These actions are now of greater importance, since the Ministry of National Defense clearly increases the number of Polish soldiers. This is mainly due to the formation of the Territorial Defense Forces and the urgent need to supplement the personnel status in operational units envisaged for cooperation under the so-called reinforcement of the eastern flank. In view of this, the Ministry of National Defense conducts annual work to determine the number of candidates for professional soldiers who, in the future, after fulfilling many formal and substantive requirements, will swell the ranks of the officer cadre. In this publication, the author discusses the procedures involved in drafting legislation regulating the limits of admission of candidates for professional soldiers to military higher education institutions that educate future second lieutenants to serve in the Armed Forces.

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION OF OFFICER CADRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE TERRITORIAL DEFENSE FORCES

One of the priorities of the Ministry of National Defense is the creation of a new branch of Armed Forces – the Territorial Defense Forces (Polish: WOT). It was initiated by the establishment of the Territorial Defense Bureau, and then the Command of the Territorial Defense Forces. The process of creating brigades and sub-units of these troops is parallel to the completion of the WOT Command. The main idea of their functioning is the widespread, optional access of volunteers to serve under the so-called territorial military service. Due to the intensive formation of new structures, a high-level military education is facing a major challenge, which is taking steps to urgently fill positions both for professional officers and for officers of territorial military service with graduates. The material presented in the present paper is an attempt to analyze and propose solutions that are not necessarily final but are treated as a basis for further substantive discussion.

Reluctant reformers: the economic roots of military change in Norway, 1990–2015

The Norwegian Armed Forces has seen extensive reforms since the early 1990s. It has been changed from a large, conscription-based, reservist-dominated territorial Defense force to a smaller, more proficient, and flexible force. However, this process has been far from linear, and to this day the Norwegian Armed Forces retains significant elements of its organizational and cultural cold war heritage. We argue that national security concerns, domestic politics and financial constraints have played the main role in shaping the reform of the Armed Forces. This argument gives an alternative to explanations offered by previous research, which has tended to emphasize the role played by international influences, such as the NATO operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan, as well as NATO and US reform initiatives. While external factors undoubtedly have shaped the direction and tempo of the reforms, our findings point to long-standing structural and financial imbalances as the key explanation of the current structure of the Norwegian Armed Forces.