Poland extends General Wiesław Kukuła as Chief of the General Staff for second three-year term

Presidential reappointment and command continuity

President Karol Nawrocki has appointed General Wiesław Kukuła to a second three-year term as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. Head of the National Security Bureau Bartosz Grodecki announced the decision on 6 October 2026, confirming that Kukuła will begin his new mandate on 10 October 2026. The formal ceremony presenting the act of nomination will take place on 11 November 2026 during National Independence Day commemorations in Warsaw. Under Poland's Homeland Defence Act, the Chief of the General Staff, armed forces branch commanders, and troop commanders serve three-year terms with the option for renewal. The presidential order was issued pursuant to Article 134, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, keeping the country's top soldier in his post.

Political consensus between Nawrocki and Kosiniak-Kamysz

The reappointment followed formal consultations between President Nawrocki and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. On 18 September 2026, Nawrocki met at the presidential palace with Kosiniak-Kamysz, General Kukuła, and Grodecki to evaluate regional security conditions, Polish border activity, and NATO operational planning. The agreement between the presidential administration and the defense ministry ended media speculation regarding potential replacements at the head of the military. Reporting in Rzeczpospolita prior to the announcement noted that both leaders favored stability, particularly given the absence of alternative candidates with equivalent command experience. Grodecki conveyed official congratulations following the confirmation of the extension.

President of the Republic of Poland, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Karol Nawrocki decided to appoint General Wiesław Kukuła for another term as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces starting 10 October 2026.

Budget positions and command background

General Kukuła assumed leadership of the General Staff on 10 October 2023, taking over following the resignation of General Rajmund Andrzejczak. Before stepping into the top command role, Kukuła headed the General Command of the Armed Forces and served for six years as commander of the Territorial Defence Forces. During his first three-year term, Kukuła opposed proposed cutbacks to the defense budget. In March 2026, the general issued a formal negative opinion against spending cuts proposed in a letter from the Ministry of National Defence. Member of Parliament Andrzej Śliwka characterized Kukuła as an institutional buffer who prevented reductions in military expenditure while prioritizing modernization and equipment acquisition.

Military doctrine and force expansion

Kukuła has repeatedly emphasized the need to build state resilience and expand the overall capacity of the armed services. In October 2024, during an inaugural academic lecture at the Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław, Kukuła addressed officer cadets about military transformation and potential conflict.

Everything indicates that we are the generation that will stand with arms in hand in defence of our country. And I do not intend to lose this war. We will win it, return, and continue building Poland, but something must happen. We must build Armed Forces prepared for this type of action.

During that address, Kukuła explained that existing recruitment paces would be insufficient to match the scale of potential adversaries. He argued that the military must introduce a universal service model, combining professional soldiers, reserve forces, and Territorial Defence troops into a single integrated conglomerate.