Parade on the occasion of Polish Army Day. This equipment was presented for the first time

In Warsaw, a parade began shortly after 3 p.m. The highest Polish authorities took part in the celebrations of the Polish Armed Forces Day. President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz were present.

“This is our great pride”

Before the main part of the celebrations began, the Minister of National Defense took the floor. “In a moment, one of the main NATO armies will march proudly,” he announced. He pointed out that the entire nation needs to be united. He recalled that “the threat is the most serious in decades.” “We have to be ready for all scenarios, which is why the transformation of the Polish army is underway. (…) This is a great week for the Polish army, these are great contracts with the largest one, i.e. the order for 96 attack helicopters, orders for Patriot systems or Kleszcz transporters,” he indicated.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the first Abrams tank will bear the name of Sergeant Mateusz Sitek, who died defending the Polish border. “It will be the first to be shown in this parade,” he indicated. Then Tusk’s speech began. The Prime Minister emphasized that “every zloty must be spent very wisely” on the army, because “our security will depend on it.” He pointed out that today the strength of a modern army is “innovation.” “The army must also be the most intelligent,” he added. He emphasized that the government “will spend a lot of money” so that the country “is best armed.” President Duda was the last to speak. He announced that participants in the celebrations will be able to see “the most modern” military equipment in the world. “This is our great pride, a growing guarantee of our security,” he emphasized.

Polish Army Day. A bang was heard. The military anthem was played

At 3 p.m., 25 cannon salutes were fired (in connection with the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance). Then the military anthem, the First Brigade March, was played. In the meantime, while the Polish Army Representative Orchestra was playing, the General Command published a film of the paratroopers’ flag landing.

On Wisłostrada, soldiers from the Representative Regiment of the Polish Army began their march. As the command on X reported, they are “responsible for training the remaining marching soldiers from all branches of the military.”

Right behind them were the vehicles: the M1A1 Abrams tank, the Korean K2 Black Panther and the K9 Thunder (self-propelled) howitzer. The parade participants could also see live the Polish Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carrier, the Rak self-propelled mortar (caliber 120 millimeters) or the Patriot medium-range air defense systems and the Mała Narew system (anti-aircraft missile system for combating threats at low altitudes).

Light vehicles such as the Żmija (used by soldiers of reconnaissance units) also drove through. Test examples of the BWP Borsuk infantry vehicles (Polish infantry fighting vehicle) and the first examples of the Kleszcz reconnaissance vehicles were also presented. A vehicle of the Waran/Heron family also made its debut.

Fighter jets flew over the participants’ heads.

Also in the sky one could see machines, including a Black Hawk (a multi-role helicopter), an FA-50 Fighting Eagle (a light combat aircraft) and F-35 fighters.

At the very end were the Krab self-propelled howitzers (made in Poland). The parade ended before 4 p.m.