The process of creatin of a body which would create and coordinated integrated state defense system in the Polish People's Republic began in the mid-50s Poland in the mid 50s.
In times of peace, the committee had the authority to coordinate and supervise the implementation of defense tasks by other state authorities on an ongoing basis, while in state of emergency the committee was empowered to take over full power which was composed of the leadership of the party and the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
[2] The committee was to consist of eleven members responsible for appropriately grouped ministries and state institutions, with specified minimum personnel necessary for their functioning.
The Committee gained legal authority under the Act on the general duty to defend of November 21, 1967, which entrusted it with determining threats to state security and managing all related matters.
The KOK resolution of December 7, 1981 extended the competences of provincial defense committees, thanks to which they were to be structures responsible for introducing and maintaining martial law.