National Security Strategy of the Republic of Poland (2020)

Approved: 12 May 2020

The “National Security Strategy of the Republic of Poland 2020” outlines Poland’s approach to national security in a complex and uncertain global environment. The strategy, approved on May 12, 2020, by the President of the Republic of Poland, supersedes the 2014 version.

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The Four Pillars of Polish Security

The document is structured around four pillars:

• Pillar I: Security of the State and its Citizens: This pillar focuses on national security management, state resilience, common civic defense, the Polish Armed Forces, cybersecurity, and the information space.
• Pillar II: Poland in the International Security System: This section addresses Poland’s role within NATO and the European Union, as well as bilateral, regional, and global cooperation.
• Pillar III: Identity and National Heritage: This pillar emphasizes strengthening national identity and promoting a positive image of Poland.
• Pillar IV: Social and Economic Development. Environment Protection: This final pillar covers health and family protection, migration policy, economic security, energy security, environmental protection, and scientific and technological potential.

Key Threats and Challenges

• The strategy highlights the neo-imperial policy of the Russian Federation as the most serious threat, citing actions like the aggression against Georgia and the annexation of Crimea. It also notes Russia’s development of offensive military capabilities and hybrid warfare tactics.
• Other challenges include the evolving transatlantic relationship, internal tensions within the EU, regional conflicts, increased migratory pressure, and global strategic rivalry between the United States, China, and Russia.

Strategic Objectives

• Poland aims to strengthen its national security by increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2024, modernizing its armed forces, and enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities.
• The strategy also stresses the importance of energy security, diversifying gas and oil supplies, and developing secure telecommunication networks.