Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Friday that the concept for creating the Border Defense Component from four Territorial Defense Force brigades stationed along Poland’s eastern border has been approved. The task of the BDC (KOP) will include relieving other units currently deployed at the border.
The process of establishing the Border Defense Component within the WOT began in 2022. The project envisions preparing and specializing four WOT brigades located in eastern Poland so that they can permanently assume the main responsibility for protecting the eastern border, thereby easing the burden on other units – particularly operational forces – currently engaged in the “Safe Podlasie” mission.
Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the approval of the final version of the concept for creating the BDC (KOP) on X. As he reminded, the component will include:
- The Podlaska Territorial Defense Brigade,
- The Warmian-Masurian Territorial Defense Brigade,
- The Nadbużańska Territorial Defense Brigade,
and 20. The Przemyśl Territorial Defense Brigade.
“This is another step strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and the northeastern border as part of the National Deterrence and Defense Program – Eastern Shield,” wrote Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Ultimately, the BDC (KOP) is expected to cooperate with the Border Guard and share responsibility for the installations established under the Eastern Shield – a system of fortifications, supply depots, reconnaissance and anti-drone systems, and other defensive infrastructure being built along the borders with Russia and Belarus. The BDC (KOP) will also be equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-tank launchers, drones, and anti-drone systems, as well as a developed logistics network. Equipping BDC (KOP) soldiers with light artillery systems is also being considered.
The acronym KOP refers to the Border Defense Corps, a military formation established in 1924 during the interwar period to guard Poland’s long border with the Soviet Union – including preventing the infiltration of dangerous agents or terrorists from the east. During the September 1939 campaign, KOP units were incorporated into the regular Polish Army, and s