Tri-Service
All Polish Women Offered Army Self-Defence Classes
The Polish Army is offering women in the country the opportunity to attend unarmed combat training with its instructors.
The classes, which are to held at military bases across Poland, will run from mid-November until next summer.
Open to all Polish women over 18 and in good health, the techniques to be taught include hold-breaking, protecting the body against kicks, strangling and assaults with weapons including knives.
Announcing the initiative the Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said the aim was to teach women "basic fighting techniques" and "improve overall physical fitness".
Participants must however have their own medical insurance and sign a waiver protecting the defence ministry from any resulting injury claims.
Amid concern about Russian aggression in the region, and the siting of Iskander missiles in its Kaliningrad exclave, Poland is also building up a 35,000 strong paramilitary force to help deter any potential encroachment by the Kremlin, such as its annexation of Crimea.
Do you think the British Army should do the same? Have your say in our poll:
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
