CNN: Poland holds biggest military parade in decades, as its clout in Europe grows
Poland is holding its largest military parade in decades on Tuesday, in a flex of defensive muscle that comes as tensions rise on the border between the NATO nation and key Russian ally Belarus.
Poland’s Defense Ministry said the celebration of Polish Army Day on Tuesday would be marked by a showcase that includes 200 units of Polish and foreign military equipment, 92 aircraft and 2,000 service members.
The parade includes some of the latest technology Poland has in its arsenal, including US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks, South Korean K2 tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS rocket launchers, Krab self-propelled howitzers, as well as US-made Patriot missile batteries systems, which are part of the Polish “WISŁA” air defense system.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Why the parade today? It is all about optics and the upcoming national elections in October .... Polish military parade looks to demonstrate strength abroad and court votes at home (ABC News Australia).
Poland Holds Biggest Military Parade Since The Cold War
Poland displays military might in huge parade as elections loom -- Reuters
Poland Showcases Military Might as War Rages in Neighboring Ukraine -- AP
Poland seeks to deter Russia with huge military parade -- DW
Poland holds biggest military parade since Cold War in defiant message to its neighbours -- The National
Poland military parade: 'Perfect day to show our strength' -- BBC
Why is Poland increasing military presence on its streets? -- Euronews
Poland Armed Forces Day (Photo-Gallery) -- National Review
8 comments:
Someone should read their history.
After Timur the Lame and his army had crossed the Starving Steppe, Timur held a parade.
A parade has more than one use and it cannot replace exercises or audits, but it has its place.
Timur held the parade before attacking the Golden Horde. The Horde that the Russians finally kicked the shit out of.
Some writers have said the purpose of the parade was to ensure the material condition of his army. It was an inspection. The army had just had a grueling trek across a steppe with poor forage. It would be foolish to go into battle with weary troops.
The parade causes the troops to shape up and ensure their equipment is order.
If the cunts and pricks of the German political establishment had had parades would the material condition of the German military been allowed to have gotten so poor?
You could make a counter argument (actually many) against parades
1. Costs
2. Militarization of our culture
3. Wear and tear
and finally, your argument of "readiness" could also give the wrong idea to leaders. Including the leader of Poland.. he might get the impression that stuff looks good, but in fact only those pieces that made it to the parade are seen, while the rest is in decay
Not saying it is so, but just saying..
My main counter argument for a parade, unless very well done is this:
You look weak.
To me, the Polish army looks weak.
Why?
Too low number of tier-1 weaponry driving by.
They lead the show with buggies and old trucks and outdated weaponry.
If Poland is one of the strongest militaries in Europe, I am worried now. Thankfully a few not-outdated tanks at the end, and some modern planes in the air, but holy fuck, if this was a parade to impress anyone and reduce likelihood of attack (by demonstration of power), to me at least, it did the opposite.
I hope other NATO members look better during their parades ;)
Today is Polish Armed Forces Day. The first military parade was done back in 2007, and there has been ongoing, annual military parades since 2013. So in one respect, this is all normal. Poland would be having this parade regardless. So for those trying to figure out why a parade is being held, the answer is simple - there is always a military parade on this day.
Of course what is not being mentioned is that August 15 was chosen as Armed Forces Day because it is the anniversary of the Polish victory over the Soviet Union in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920. (It also coincides with a Catholic religious holiday so masses for the military dead also happens). It was originally chosen by interwar Poland, but was changed by the Communist dictatorship to a pro-Communist date. Poland's democratic government restored the original date in 1992.
So if this parade is particularly big or flashy to showcase its new state-of-the art weapons, then it is to send a message. But I don't think it is for the domestic audience or about the upcoming elections. The message is to Moscow.
Having not seen the actual parade, I cannot vouch for how impressive it is. But I doubt it would be less impressive than the pathetic display the Russians held in Moscow earlier in May.
Poland has made huge investments in its military industry and military in the last few years, and is spending about 4% of its GDP. Its' divesting its obsolete Soviet era equipment by donating it to Ukraine and replacing it with new, modern equipment. Poland's goal is to build the most powerful NATO ground forces in Europe. It may not have achieved that yet, but they are just beginning.
Chris
It is so helpful that the Russian troll (2:10 ) is so concerned for the West.
Is 2:10 a Russian troll or Sara Silverman, the nor-so-funny Jewess, who was triggered when her boy toy raised an American flag in front of his home?
Is there a difference really between a Russian troll and the ditzy Silverman?
"Not only do a large majority of Americans regard the federal charges as serious, more than half of Americans think the former president should face prosecution," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
8/16/23 - Majority Of Americans Say Trump Should Be Prosecuted On Federal Criminal Charges Linked To 2020 Election, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; DeSantis Slips, Trump Widens Lead In GOP Primary | Quinnipiac University Poll
Like Chelsea Handler, Sarah Silverman was extremely cute, but ceased to be funny long ago and are past the sell-by date.
Comedian Sarah Silverman said in the latest episode of her Hulu show that she was “scared” and “shaken” when a former boyfriend put up an American Flag in his front yard.
Silverman’s show is ironically titled, “I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman,” but in this week’s episode Silverman explains why patriotism freaks her out.
You can ignore a comedian's politics, but only up to a certain point.
I'll stand by my post. Is 2:10 a Russian troll or Sarah Silverman?
5:54 would eat dog shit from a dog bowl, if a Democrat politician asked him to and consider himself lucky for the privilege.
So I went to see the polls internals and there were not many.
https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us08162023_demos_usos65.pdf
David Van Camp a former reporter and news director and current talk show host remarked that how you ask a question matters on a poll. This is obvious of course but oft overlooked. One trick pollsters have is to remove the category of "Don't know" or "uncertain". that looks to be the case with this poll.
One day Democrat leaders are going to force 5:54 to eat bugs and they will and they will smile as they eat bugs for the resto their pathetic life.
I was in Poland for a month this year. I was very surprised how divided the country was on political lines. Most people I spoke to in the West hated the government and want change, but in the East there was nothing but love.
Old imperial dividing lines?
https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-presidential-election-by-the-numbers-pis-law-and-justice-andrzej-duda-rafal-trzaskowski/
Post a Comment